Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 25, 2026

An Analog Macroscopic Technique for Studying Molecular Hydrodynamic Processes in Dense Gases and Liquids
Published on: December 4, 2017
Wertheim and Bjerrum-Tani-Henderson theories for associating fluids: a critical assessment
Riccardo Fantoni1, Giorgio Pastore2
1Dipartimento di Scienze Molecolari e Nanosistemi, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Calle Larga S. Marta DD2137, I-30123 Venezia, Italy.
Abstract:
Two theories for associating fluids recently used to study clustering in models for self-assembling patchy particles, Wertheim's and Bjerrum-Tani-Henderson theories, are carefully compared. We show that, for a fluid allowing only for dimerization, Wertheim theory is equivalent to the Bjerrum-Tani-Henderson theory neglecting intercluster correlations. Nonetheless, while the former theory is able to account for percolation and condensation, the latter is not. For the Bjerrum-Tani-Henderson theory we also rigorously prove the uniqueness of the solution for the cluster's concentrations and the reduction of the system of equations to a single one for a single unknown. We carry out Monte Carlo simulations of two simple models of dimerizing fluids and compare quantitatively the predictions of the two theories with the simulation data.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
The Van der Waals Equation
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...
Real Gases: Effects of Intermolecular Forces and Molecular Volume Deriving Van der Waals Equation
Van der Waals Interactions
Intermolecular Forces and Physical Properties
Intermolecular Forces

