What are Van der Waals Forces?

Van der Waals forces are a type of weak attraction that occurs between molecules or within different parts of a large molecule when they are in close proximity to one another. These forces arise from temporary fluctuations in electron distribution, leading to the formation of temporary dipoles. As one molecule induces a dipole in another molecule, an attraction between the two occurs. This interaction is crucial in various biological processes, such as protein folding and the formation of lipid bilayers, where the structural integrity and function depend on the subtle forces at play. Understanding Van der Waals forces is essential for grasping how molecular interactions influence physical properties of substances and biological systems.