## Shifted potential For some potential we have to cut (or say, truncate) at certain distance, i.e., cut-off. This could be an issue, so we just move the potential up to avoid discontinuity. One may even modify its gradient to have a smoother shape, i.e., force continuity (science $F = -\nabla V$). ![[Drawing 2023-07-27 00.18.11.excalidraw.svg]] Above sketch shows how a [[Details on LJ|LJ form VdW potential]] get shifted. This could be common for LJ, but not limited to. >[!Info] >See more on [The Shifted Force Lennard-Jones Potential](https://www.ucl.ac.uk/~ucfbasc/Theory/shifted.html). For similar method applied to electrostatic interact, see [# Shifted force method](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shifted_force_method).