Using a semiclassical model for three interacting fluctuating dipoles we introduce a simple scenario in which the nonadditivity of the van der Waals dispersion forces arises in a very transparent way. For simplicity, we illustrate our model in the case of nonretarded dispersion forces. The argument can be straightforwardly generalized to the case of N interacting fluctuating dipoles. For pedagogical reasons, we also give a brief review of some basic points concerning van der Waals forces.
REFERENCES
1.
J. D. van der Waals, “Over de continuiteit van den gas-en vloeistoftoestand,” Dissertation, Leiden, 1873.
2.
Dieter Langbein, Theory of Van der Waals Attraction, Springer Tracts in Modern Physics, Vol. 72 (Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1974).
3.
H. Margenau and N. R. Kestner, Theory of Intermolecular Forces (Pergamon, New York, 1969).
4.
P. W. Milonni, The Quantum Vaccum: An Introduction to Quantum Electrodynamics (Academic, New York, 1994).
5.
F.
London
, “Zur Theorie und Systematik der Molecularkrafte
,” Z. Phys.
63
, 245
(1930
).6.
H. B. G.
Casimir
and D.
Polder
, “The Influence of Retardation on the London-van der Waals Forces
,” Phys. Rev.
73
, 360
–372
(1948
).7.
D.
Tabor
and R. H. S.
Winterton
, “Direct measurement of normal and retarded van der Waals forces
,” Nature (London)
219
, 1120
–1121
(1968
).8.
H. B. G.
Casimir
, “On the Attraction Between Two Perfectly Conducting Planes
,” Proc. K. Ned. Akad. Wet.
51
, 793
–795
(1948
).9.
E. M.
Lifshitz
, “The Theory of Molecular Attractive Forces between Solids
,” Sov. Phys. JETP
2
, 73
–83
(1956
).10.
J. D. Jackson, Classical Electrodynamics (Wiley, New York, 1975), 2nd ed., p. 395.
11.
P. W.
Milonni
and P. L.
Knight
, “Retardation in the resonant interaction of two identical atoms
,” Phys. Rev. A
10
, 1096
–1108
(1974
);P. W.
Milonni
and P. L.
Knight
, “Retarded interaction of two nonidentical atoms
” Phys. Rev. A
, 11
, 1090
–1092
(1975
).12.
P. W.
Milonni
, “Semiclassical and Quantum-Electrodynamical Approach in NonRelativistic Theory
,” Phys. Rep., Phys. Lett.
25C
, 1
–81
(1976
).13.
B. M.
Axilrod
and E.
Teller
, “Interaction of the van der Waals Type Between Three Atoms
,” J. Chem. Phys.
11
, 299
–300
(1943
).14.
M. J.
Sparnaay
, “Measurements of Attractive Forces between Flat Plates
,” Physica (Amsterdam)
24
, 751
–764
(1958
).15.
S. K.
Lamoreaux
, “Demonstration of the Casimir Force in the 0.6 to 6 μm Range
,” Phys. Rev. Lett.
78
, 5
–8
(1997
).16.
U.
Mohideen
and A.
Roy
, “A precision measurement of the Casimir force from 0, 1 to 0, 9 μm
,” hep-ph/9805038.
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1999 American Association of Physics Teachers.
1999
American Association of Physics Teachers
AAPT members receive access to the American Journal of Physics and The Physics Teacher as a member benefit. To learn more about this member benefit and becoming an AAPT member, visit the Joining AAPT page.
