Van der Waals force is a distance-dependent interaction between atoms or molecules. It is a general term used to define the attraction or repulsion of intermolecular forces between molecules. Unlike ionic or covalent bonds, these attractions do not result from a chemical electronic bond; they are comparatively weak and arise from induced electrical interactions between two or more atoms or molecules that are very near to each other. The van der Waals force plays a fundamental role in fields as diverse as supramolecular chemistry, structural biology, polymer science, nanotechnology, surface science, and condensed matter physics. There are two kinds of Van der Waals forces: weak London Dispersion Forces and Dipole-Dipole Forces/Physical_Properties_of_Matter/Atomic_and_Molecular_Properties/Intermolecular_Forces/Van_der_Waals_Forces). The strengths of Van der Waals forces typically range from 0.4 kJ.mol-1 to 4 kJ.mol-1, and they are short-range forces. The magnitude of these forces is high when the atoms/molecules in question are close to each other.