Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Analyzing Melts and Fluids from Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Simulations with the UMD Package
Published on: September 17, 2021
Separation of variables in molecular-dynamics simulations: a criterion to estimate the quality of the approximation
Adolfo B Poma1, Luigi Delle Site
1Max-Planck-Institut für Polymerforschung, Ackermannweg 10, D-55128 Mainz, Germany.
Abstract:
We propose a simple method to evaluate the approximation of separation of variables in molecular dynamics (MD) and related fields. It is based on a point-by-point evaluation of the difference between the true potential and the corresponding potential where the separation of variables is applied. The major advantage of such an approach is the fact that it requires only the analytical form of the potential as provided in most of the MD codes. We provide two examples of application, namely, a diatomic molecule adsorbing on a flat surface and an alkane (aliphatic) chain.
Related Concept Videos
The Van der Waals Equation
Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution: Problem Solving
This distribution function f(v) is defined by saying that the expected number N (v1,v2) of particles with speeds between v1 and v2 is given by
Mean free path and Mean free time
Van der Waals Equation
First, the attractive forces between molecules, which are stronger at higher densities and reduce the pressure, are considered by adding to the pressure a term equal to the square of the molar density multiplied by a positive coefficient a. Second, the volume...
Reaction Mechanisms: The Steady-State Approximation
Real Gases: Effects of Intermolecular Forces and Molecular Volume Deriving Van der Waals Equation

