General force field

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-004821",
  "term": "General force field",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "The most general quadratic form for the potential energy of a molecule in vibrational spectroscopy, written in 3N-6 independent basis coordinates (3N-5 for a linear molecule) with force constants f(ij) coupling every pair of coordinates. It makes no simplifying assumptions, unlike restricted schemes such as the valence force field. A nonlinear molecule of N atoms has (3N-6)(3N-5)/2 independent force constants before symmetry is applied.",
  "subject": "Physical and Biophysical Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "force constants"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1978, 50, 1707. 'Definition and Symbolism of Molecular Force Constants' on page 1709 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac197850111707)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/general-force-field/"
}