What is "force field"

alt. 1 (context physics English) A region of space (a vector field) in which a force operates; contains line of force; a field of force 2 (context chemistry English) A mathematical description of the potential energy of a system of atoms 3 (context science fiction English) An invisible barrier used as a protective shield n. 1 (context physics English) A region of space (a vector field) in which a force operates; contains line of force; a field of force 2 (context chemistry English) A mathematical description of the potential energy of a system of atoms 3 (context science fiction English) An invisible barrier used as a protective shield

n. the space around a radiating body within which its electromagnetic oscillations can exert force on another similar body not in contact with it [syn: field, field of force]

In fictional works, a force field, sometimes known as an energy shield, force shield, or deflector shield, is a barrier made of energy or particles. It protects a person, area, or object from attacks or intrusions. This fictional technology is created as a field of energy without mass that acts as a wall, so that objects affected by the particular force relating to the field are unable to pass through the field and reach the other side. There is ongoing scientific research into real force fields, primarily to protect against radiation.

In physics a force field is a vector field that describes a non-contact force acting on a particle at various positions in space. Specifically, a force field is a vector field F⃗, where F⃗(x⃗) is the force that a particle would feel if it were at the point x⃗.

In the context of molecular modeling, a force field (a special case of energy functions or interatomic potentials; not to be confused with force field in classical physics) refers to the functional form and parameter sets used to calculate the potential energy of a system of atoms or coarse-grained particles in molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics simulations. The parameters of the energy functions can be derived from experimental work and quantum mechanical calculations.

"All-atom" force fields provide parameters for every type of atom in a system, including hydrogen, while "united-atom" interatomic potentials treat the hydrogen and carbon atoms in each terminal methyl and each methylene bridge as a single interaction center. "Coarse-grained" potentials, which are frequently used in long-time simulations of macromolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and multi-component complexes, provide even more crude representations for increased computational efficiency.

Force field may refer to:

• Force field (fiction), a barrier made up of energy or particles to protect a person, area or object from attacks or intrusions or as a means of containment or confinement
• Force field (physics), a vector field indicating the forces exerted by one object on another
• Force field (chemistry), a set of parameter and equations for use in molecular mechanics simulations
• Force-field analysis, a concept in the social sciences
• Force field (neuroscience), a region in the spinal cord that causes limbs to exert a consistent force depending on the limbs' position
• Forcefield (art collective) and band from Providence, Rhode Island associated with Fort Thunder
• Forcefield (band), a British rock band featuring Graham Bonnet, Cozy Powell, Peter Prescott, Neil Murray and Ray Fenwick
• "Force Field", the theme tune of the British game show The Crystal Maze