The London-van der Waals attraction between spherical particles

Abstract

Frequently we experience the existance of adhesive forces between small particles. It seems natural to ascribe this adhesion for a large part to London-v.d. Waals forces. To obtain general information concerning their order of magnitude the London-v. d. Waals interaction between two spherical particles is computed as a function of the diameters and the distance separating them. A table is calculated which enables numerical application of the formulae derived. Besides approximations are added, which may be used when the distance between the particles is small. In a separate section it is investigated how the results must be modified, when both particles are immersed in a liquid. Here we are led to the important conclusion that even in that case London-v. d. Waals forces generally cause an attraction. © 1937.