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Van der Waals Interactions

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Atoms and molecules interact with each other through intermolecular forces. These electrostatic forces arise from attractive or repulsive interactions between particles with permanent, partial, or temporary charges. The intermolecular forces between neutral atoms and molecules are ion–dipole, dipole–dipole, and dispersion forces, collectively known as van der Waals forces.Polar molecules have a partial positive charge on one end and a partial negative charge on the other end of the molecule,...

Intermolecular Forces

Intermolecular Forces

Atoms and molecules interact through bonds (or forces): intramolecular and intermolecular. The forces are electrostatic as they arise from interactions (attractive or repulsive) between charged species (permanent, partial, or temporary charges) and exist with varying strengths between ions, polar, nonpolar, and neutral molecules. The different types of intermolecular forces are ion–dipole, dipole–dipole, hydrogen bonds, and dispersion; among these, dipole–dipole, hydrogen bonds, and dispersion...

Intermolecular Forces

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Atoms and molecules interact through bonds (or forces): intramolecular and intermolecular. The forces are electrostatic as they arise from interactions (attractive or repulsive) between charged species (permanent, partial, or temporary charges) and exist with varying strengths between ions, polar, nonpolar, and neutral molecules. The different types of intermolecular forces are ion–dipole, dipole–dipole, hydrogen bonds, and dispersion; among these, dipole–dipole, hydrogen bonds, and dispersion...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Spatial Separation of Molecular Conformers and Clusters

Spatial Separation of Molecular Conformers and Clusters

Published on: January 9, 2014

Neutral currents in weak interactions and molecular asymmetry.

A S Garay, P Hraskó

Journal of Molecular Evolution

|October 29, 1975

Summary

Weak interactions, which violate parity, may explain molecular asymmetry. Recent evidence for neutral currents suggests these forces are active in molecules, differentiating between mirror-image forms.

Area of Science:

Physics, Chemistry
Molecular Biology
Quantum Mechanics

Background:

Chirality, or molecular asymmetry, is crucial in biological systems.
The origin of homochirality in biomolecules remains a significant scientific question.
Weak interactions are known to violate parity, differentiating between mirror images.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the potential role of weak interactions in explaining molecular asymmetry.
To investigate if weak interactions can differentiate between enantiomers (mirror-image molecules).

Main Methods:

Review of elementary theory of weak interactions, focusing on neutral currents.
Theoretical analysis of how weak interactions affect orbital electrons in chiral molecules.
Examination of spin-momentum coupling in a helical electron gas model.

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Last Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Spatial Separation of Molecular Conformers and Clusters

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Vibrational Spectra of a N719-Chromophore/Titania Interface from Empirical-Potential Molecular-Dynamics Simulation, Solvated by a Room Temperature Ionic Liquid

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Molecular Spring Constant Analysis by Biomembrane Force Probe Spectroscopy

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Main Results:

Recent experiments provide evidence for neutral currents, suggesting parity violation in molecular interactions.
Weak interactions can couple electron spins and momenta within chiral molecules.
Enantiomers exhibit distinct "helical electron gas" properties due to weak interactions.

Conclusions:

Parity-violating weak interactions are a plausible mechanism for the origin of molecular asymmetry.
Weak interactions can distinguish between L and D enantiomers through effects on orbital electrons.
The concept of "helical electron gas" offers a framework for understanding these chiral molecular interactions.