The Intermolecular Potential of Mercury

Abstract

The distribution function for liquid mercury from the melting point up to 250° recently published by the junior authors, has been used to calculate the intermolecular potential by aid of the equation derived by Hildebrand and Wood, E=(2πN²/V)∫εWr²dr. This potential is accurately reproduced by the equation, ε=j/rⁿ—k/r⁶, with j=5.49×10^‐9 and k=3.52×10^‐10, for ε in dynes and r in angstroms. The attractive constant, k, checks exceedingly well with the value 3.35×10^‐10 calculated by the aid of the London formula for dispersion potential. Several other independent checks agree with the above potential function within the apparent limits of error of each.