Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
random-coil model
References
Images
Figure 7: Two basic models for the atomic-scale structure of amorphous solids.
Britannica AI Icon

random-coil model

physics
Written by
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of  Encyclopædia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them.
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last updated

Quick Summary

Figure 7: Two basic models for the atomic-scale structure of amorphous solids.
Figure 7: Two basic models for the atomic-scale structure of amorphous solids.

The random-coil model is a structural model used to describe amorphous solids, particularly those composed of long-chain molecules known as polymers. These polymers form the basis of many common plastics. The model, first proposed by P.J. Flory, depicts the structure as a collection of intermeshed and entangled polymer chains. The configurations of these chains are statistically defined by a mathematical concept known as a three-dimensional random walk. This model is crucial for understanding the physical properties of polymeric materials. Polymerization itself involves monomers chemically combining to form these large polymer molecules, setting it apart from processes like crystallization.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
  1. amorphous solid - Models of atomic scale structures
  2. polymerization

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.