Watch molecules attract and repel each other in real time using the Lennard-Jones potential — the standard model of Van der Waals interactions — to simulate how simple molecules form liquids, crystals, and gases.
The Lennard-Jones 12-6 potential models strong short-range repulsion (electron shell overlap) and weak long-range attraction (Van der Waals forces). The ratio of thermal energy to potential well depth determines the phase: gas, liquid, or solid.
Adjust temperature to drive phase transitions from crystal to liquid to gas. Change density with the particle count slider. Watch kinetic energy and pressure readouts update in real time.
Modern supercomputers run MD simulations of billions of atoms to design new drugs, understand protein folding (AlphaFold), and develop better materials — all using the same Lennard-Jones equations shown here.