Medical Definition of Van der Waals attraction
1.
Electrodynamic forces arise between atoms, molecules and assemblies of molecules due to their vibrations giving rise to electromagnetic interactions, these are attractive when the vibrational frequencies and absorptions are identical or similar, repulsive when nonidentical. Other interactions originally proposed by van der Waals were included in this name, but these are usually separated into the Coulomb's force, the Keesom force and the London force. Only the last is of electrodynamic nature. Probably important in holding lipid membranes into that structure and possibly in other interactions, for example cell adhesion. Electrodynamic forces between large scale assemblies can be of relatively long range nature.
This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology
(11 Mar 2008)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Van Der Waals Attraction
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