Perturbation theory for the radial distribution function

Abstract

Abstract Perturbation theory is used to consider expansions for the radial distribution function, g 2(r), of a fluid with a soft core. We consider the Lennard-Jones (12, 6) potential and divide it into repulsive and attractive regions. In the repulsive region we expand the function exp (β u(r))g 2(r) about a hard sphere value. For the first-order contribution of the attractive region we consider a simple approximation to the exact analytical expression. The resulting g 2(r) is accurate at densities below about ρσ 3=0·5. Additional informationNotes on contributorsW.R. Smith National Research Council of Canada Postdoctoral Fellow. E.W. Tiepel Eppley Foundation Fellow. On leave from: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32601, U.S.A.