An ideal chain (or freely-jointed chain) is the simplest model to describe a polymer. It only assumes a polymer as a random walk and neglects any kind of interactions among monomers. Although it is simple, its generality gives us some insights about the physics of polymers.
In this model, monomers are rigid rods of a fixed length l, and their orientation is completely independent of the orientations and positions of neighbouring monomers, to the extent that two monomers can co-exist at the same place.
Read more about Ideal Chain: The Model, Generality of The Model, Entropic Elasticity of An Ideal Chain
Famous quotes containing the words ideal and/or chain:
“There is no absolute point of view from which real and ideal can be finally separated and labelled.”
—T.S. (Thomas Stearns)
“Nae living man I’ll love again,
Since that my lovely knight is slain.
Wi ae lock of his yellow hair
I’ll chain my heart for evermair.”
—Unknown. The Lament of the Border Widow (l. 25–28)