Hidden scale invariance in molecular van der Waals liquids: A simulation study

Results from molecular dynamics simulations of two viscous molecular model liquids—the Lewis-Wahnström model of orthoterphenyl and an asymmetric dumbbell model—are reported. We demonstrate that the liquids have a “hidden” approximate scale invariance: equilibrium potential energy fluctuations are accurately described by inverse power-law (IPL) potentials, the radial distribution functions are accurately reproduced by the IPL’s, and the radial distribution functions obey the IPL predicted scaling properties to a good approximation. IPL scaling of the dynamics also applies—with the scaling exponent predicted by the equilibrium fluctuations. In contrast, the equation of state does not obey the IPL scaling. We argue that our results are general for van der Waals liquids, but do not apply, e.g., for hydrogen-bonded liquids.