<P> So b ′ is four times the proper volume of the particle . It was a point of concern to van der Waals that the factor four yields an upper bound; empirical values for b ′ are usually lower . Of course, molecules are not infinitely hard, as van der Waals thought, and are often fairly soft . </P> <P> Next, we introduce a (not necessarily pairwise) attractive force between the particles . van der Waals assumed that, notwithstanding the existence of this force, the density of the fluid is homogeneous; furthermore, he assumed that the range of the attractive force is so small that the great majority of the particles do not feel that the container is of finite size . Given the homogeneity of the fluid, the bulk of the particles do not experience a net force pulling them to the right or to the left . This is different for the particles in surface layers directly adjacent to the walls . They feel a net force from the bulk particles pulling them into the container, because this force is not compensated by particles on the side where the wall is (another assumption here is that there is no interaction between walls and particles, which is not true as can be seen from the phenomenon of droplet formation; most types of liquid show adhesion). This net force decreases the force exerted onto the wall by the particles in the surface layer . The net force on a surface particle, pulling it into the container, is proportional to the number density </P> <Dl> <Dd> C = N A / V m (\ displaystyle C = N_ (\ mathrm (A)) / V_ (\ mathrm (m))). </Dd> </Dl> <Dd> C = N A / V m (\ displaystyle C = N_ (\ mathrm (A)) / V_ (\ mathrm (m))). </Dd>

What is the volume correction according to the van der waals equation