Contour length

The contour length is a term used in polymer physics . The size indicates the actual length of a long-chain molecule that it would have if it were fully stretched. It is not to be confused with the actual spatial expansion or end-to-end distance, for example in Freely-Jointed chain model , a non- stretched molecule. The contour length results mathematically by adding up or integrating the Kuhn lengths , i.e. the respective lengths of the individual "inflexible" parts of the molecule: ${\displaystyle L}$ ${\displaystyle l_{i}}$

${\displaystyle L=\sum _{i}l_{i}}$

Further information

• Entry for Contour length . In: IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology (the “Gold Book”) . doi : 10.1351 / goldbook.C01308 Version: 2.3.3.
• P. Kratochvíl, UW Suter: Definitions of terms relating to individual macromolecules, their assemblies, and dilute polymer solutions (Recommendations 1988) . In: Pure and Applied Chemistry . tape 61 , no. 2 , 1989, pp. 211-241 , doi : 10.1351 / pac198961020211 ( iupac.org [PDF; 1,3 MB ; accessed on February 18, 2014]).