Lennard-Jones potential

The Lennard-Jones potential is a mathematical model that describes how two atoms or molecules interact based on the distance between them. When they are far apart, they exert negligible forces on each other. As they come closer, they experience a repulsive force because their electron clouds overlap, preventing them from getting too close. If they are slightly further apart, they attract each other slightly due to van der Waals forces. The potential energy curve based on this model shows a minimum at an optimal distance, representing a stable state. This helps scientists understand molecular behaviors and interactions in gases, liquids, and solids.