Models

• Idealised models

Idealised models usually consist of a simple intermolecular pair potential, whose purpose is often to study underlying physical phenomena.

• Realistic models

Realistic models are usually designed to study a specific atomic or molecular system with a certain degree of realism.

• Force fields

Force fields consist of, hopefully transferable, parameters for molecular sub-units. They are designed to be applicable to a variety of molecular systems, over a range of conditions.

Interesting reading

• B. Widom "Intermolecular Forces and the Nature of the Liquid State: Liquids reflect in their bulk properties the attractions and repulsions of their constituent molecules", Science 157 pp. 375-382 (1967)