The structure of simple fluids

A simple fluid may be composed of either a single element or molecules involving no more than two types of atom (e.g. NaCl, H sub(2)O). This limitation means that their microscopic structure and dynamics may be studied more completely. Such fluids have been examined experimentally and theoretically for many years and their overall behaviour is fairly well understood. For this reason current work has focused on accurate structural and dynamic data, and its interpretation in terms of precise computer simulations or theoretical treatments. Some topical examples will be described in order to illustrate the character of the questions about simple fluids that may be investigated by radiation scattering techniques.