Models of Hydrophobic Attraction - Professor Widom lecture in association with CRANN

Professor Benjamin Widom will discuss the question of how the thermodynamics of a solution of a low-solubility solute is reflected in the potential of mean force between solute molecules. First, the concept of potential of mean force is defined and discussed (for the non-expert!), and then two recently treated models of the hydrophobic attraction are described. The emphasis is on the extent to which the amplitude of the solute-solute correlations, or potential of mean force, at large separations exceeds that in the solvent itself, reflecting the strong effective attraction between the solute molecules.