A theory that extends the microscopic Van der Waals forces between individual atoms to the macroscopic scale, calculating the total interaction force between bulk objects (e.g., two spheres, a sphere and a plate). It assumes pairwise additivity, integrating the microscopic [latex]r^{-6}[/latex] potential over the volumes of the interacting bodies. The result is quantified by the Hamaker constant, [latex]A[/latex].
