van der Waals

Van der Waals forces are weak attractions between molecules or atoms caused by temporary or permanent shifts in electron distribution. These forces include London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, and hydrogen bonds. Although individually weak, collectively they influence properties like boiling points, surface tension, and material solidity. Van der Waals forces are essential for many natural phenomena, such as how geckos can walk on walls or how proteins fold in our bodies. They are a fundamental aspect of chemistry and physics, helping explain how molecules interact without forming strong chemical bonds.