The Representation of Long Range Forces by Series Expansions I: The Divergence of the Series II: The Complete Perturbation Calculation of Long Range Forces

Abstract

In part I, the divergence which arises when long range inter-atomic forces are represented by power series expansions in the reciprocal of the nuclear separation is shown to be a fundamental property of such series and is not due to the use of an expansion of the perturbing potential in regions of space where it is not valid. It is shown that the series representation is a very convenient one despite its divergence.