The effects of deviations from Lorentz–Berthelot rules on the properties of a simple mixture

Generally, the parameters in the interaction potential between like molecules in a mixture can be determined in a relatively straightforward manner from the properties of the pure components. However, the determination of the parameters in the interaction potential between the unlike pairs in the mixtures is more difficult. As a result, these parameters are usually estimated from averages of the like parameters. The most common recipes are the Lorentz–Berthelot mixing rules, where the energy and molecular size parameters are presumed to be geometric and arithmetic averages, respectively. There have been some studies of the consequences of deviations from the energy rule but almost no studies of the consequences of deviations from the size rule. Here, we study the effects of deviations from both rules on the radial distribution functions of a simple mixture. We find from simulations that, for this mixture, the effect of deviations from the energy rule on the radial distribution function are rather small but that the effect of deviations from the size rule can be significant and are interesting.