A molecular mechanics method for chemical calculations. These calculations can be single point, geometry optimization, or molecular dynamics. A force field has three components: equations defining the potential energy of a molecular system as a function of atomic coordinates, atom types, and parameter sets that fit the equations to experimental data.
A barrier of energy, usually strong enough to prevent solid or liquid objects or concussive forms of energy from penetrating it.
the space around a radiating body within which its electromagnetic oscillations can exert force on another similar body not in contact with it
an energy barrier with many applications and varying degrees of strength
a set of equations and parameters which when evaluated for a molecular system yields an energy
A way of describing phenomena that result from action at a distance, that is, even though objects are not touching.
the mathematical approximation used to calculate a molecule or material's energy in molecular mechanics.
Originally a term coined by Michael Faraday to provide an intuitive paradigm, but theoretical construct (in the Kuhnian sense), for the behavior of electromagnetic fields, the term force field refers to the lines of force one object (the "source object") exerts on another object or a collection of other objects. An object might be a mass particle or an electric or magnetic charge, for example. The lines do not have to be straight, in the Euclidean geometry case, but may be curved.
In the context of molecular mechanics, a force field (also called a forcefield) refers to the functional form and parameter sets used to describe the potential energy of a system of particles (typically but not necessarily atoms). Force field functions and parameter sets are derived from both experimental work and high-level quantum mechanical calculations. "All-atom" force fields provide parameters for every atom in a system, including hydrogen, while "united-atom" force fields treat the hydrogen and carbon atoms in methyl and methylene groups as a single interaction center.
In science fiction and fantasy literature, a force field or protective shield is a barrier made up of energy to protect a person, area or object from attacks or intrusions. The idea may be based partly on the concept of a vector field, though in character it resembles the "warding spells," the defensive magic claimed to be used by the Druids and shamans of the ancient world. In the physical sciences, the term also has several specific meanings (see force field (disambiguation)).
