KnowraVan der Waals radiusLinked fromLinked fromThe 10 pages that link to Van der Waals radius, each with the reason it gives.All 10Broader topic 1Related 6Compared with 3Van der Waals forceRelated: The radius helps estimate the separation at which nonbonded atoms begin to repel strongly.Steric hindranceRelated: Atomic size determines when nonbonded groups approach closely enough to create steric repulsion.Noncovalent interactionRelated: These radii help estimate contact distances where dispersion and repulsion balance.Steric effectsRelated: Atomic radii help estimate when nonbonded groups are crowded together.Space-filling modelRelated: These radii set the spheres’ sizes and therefore the model’s outer surface.G. N. RamachandranRelated: Atomic size estimates determine which backbone conformations are ruled out by close contacts.