) : The temperature where a polymer transitions from a hard, brittle "glassy" state to a soft, flexible "rubbery" state.
: These account for "excluded volume," meaning two segments cannot occupy the same space. Key Measurements : End-to-End Distance ( Polymer Physics
: Unlike small molecules, polymers rarely form perfect crystals. They are typically semi-crystalline , containing both ordered (crystalline) and disordered (amorphous) regions. ) : The temperature where a polymer transitions
A polymer's conformation changes drastically based on its environment: Nature Index Polymer Physics and Rheological Behavior They are typically semi-crystalline
Polymer physics is the field that applies statistical mechanics and physical chemistry to understand the behavior of macromolecules—long, chain-like molecules made of repeating units called monomers. Because these chains are so large and complex, they are typically described using statistical models rather than deterministic ones. 1. Fundamental Models of a Single Chain