Atomic interactions – forces and potential energy between two atoms

ChemistryChemical BondingAges 15–16

Drag the right-hand atom towards or away from the fixed left-hand atom to see how the attractive, repulsive and resultant forces change with distance; the Lennard-Jones potential energy graph marks the matching point, and the bottom of the curve is the equilibrium separation. Choose the Ne–Ne, Ar–Ar or O–O pair, or Custom σ and ε, then let go to watch the atom oscillate about its equilibrium position, with optional friction to damp the motion. Based on the "Atomic Interactions" simulation by PhET Interactive Simulations, University of Colorado Boulder (CC BY 4.0); rewritten.

Lesson: Hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces