Tersoff applied the potential to silicon~\cite{tersoff_si1,tersoff_si2,tersoff_si3}, carbon~\cite{tersoff_c} and also to multicomponent systems like silicon carbide~\cite{tersoff_m}.
The basic idea is that, in real systems, the bond order, i.e.\ the strength of the bond, depends upon the local environment~\cite{abell85}.
Atoms with many neighbors form weaker bonds than atoms with only a few neighbors.
Although the bond strength intricately depends on geometry, the focus on coordination, i.e.\ the number of neighbors forming bonds, is well motivated qualitatively from basic chemistry since for every additional formed bond the amount of electron pairs per bond and, thus, the strength of the bonds is decreased.
Tersoff applied the potential to silicon~\cite{tersoff_si1,tersoff_si2,tersoff_si3}, carbon~\cite{tersoff_c} and also to multicomponent systems like silicon carbide~\cite{tersoff_m}.
The basic idea is that, in real systems, the bond order, i.e.\ the strength of the bond, depends upon the local environment~\cite{abell85}.
Atoms with many neighbors form weaker bonds than atoms with only a few neighbors.
Although the bond strength intricately depends on geometry, the focus on coordination, i.e.\ the number of neighbors forming bonds, is well motivated qualitatively from basic chemistry since for every additional formed bond the amount of electron pairs per bond and, thus, the strength of the bonds is decreased.