A representation quantifies the interactions between two distinct objects or entities within a defined system. It is structured as an array, with elements defining the coupling strength or relationship characteristics. As an example, consider a system of two atoms interacting via a potential. The array would contain elements describing the strength of their interaction at various distances.
Such a formulation is fundamental in fields like quantum mechanics, molecular dynamics, and network analysis. Its significance lies in simplifying complex many-body problems by focusing on pairwise relationships. Early developments in quantum chemistry heavily relied on this approach to approximate electronic interactions, enabling calculations of molecular properties.
