This review is focused on the structure of stable, metastable and amorphous substances described by simple classical models of particles interacting through the central forces. A unified approach suitable for all states is used. The approach is based on the analysis of the molecular distribution functions obtained either by using integral equations for distribution functions, or by numerical computer experiments (Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics methods). One of the most difficult and still controversial problems of using equations obtained in the thermodynamic limit (and designed originally to describe thermodynamically stable equilibrium states) to predict and study the metastable and amorphous states is discussed.

PACS: 05.20.−y, 61.20.Ne, 64.70.Dv, 64.70.Pf (all) DOI: 10.1070/PU2002v045n06ABEH001003 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2002/6/b/ 000178593100002 Citation: Sarkisov G N "Molecular distribution functions of stable, metastable and amorphous classical models" Phys. Usp. 45 597–617 (2002) BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)MedlineRefWorks Оригинал: Саркисов Г Н «Молекулярные функции распределения стабильных, метастабильных и аморфных классических моделей» УФН 172 647–669 (2002); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0172.200206b.0647