On the additivity of London-Van der Waals forces: An extension of London's oscillator model

Abstract

Calculations are given concerning the additivity of London-Van der Waals forces between two groups of atoms, the atoms being represented as isotropic harmonic oscillators. The results indicate that deviations of 1030% from additivity can be obtained if only dipole-dipole interaction between oscillators of one group is assumed. The effect can be expected to be relatively large if the symmetry of the arrangements of the oscillators in the group is low and it is dependent upon the relative spatial position of the groups.