Some programs assign charges using rules or templates, especially for macromolecules. In some force-fields, the torsional potential is calibrated to a particular charge calculation method (rarely made known to the user). Use of a different method can invalidated the force-field consistency. Sometimes, an additional bonded interaction term, improper dihedrals, are added as illustrated below. The potential for that is given by the following equation: E improper = Σ angles k ω (ω - ω o ) 2 All of the potential energy functions are illustrated in the graph below, where V is the potential energy. Go to this great web site by Sharon Hammes-Schiffer, Shaffer Associate Professor of Chemistry Theoretical and Computational Chemistry at Penn State to see interactive graphs for these potential functions.