Configurations of macromolecules subject to intermolecular volume exclusions

Abstract

The effects of intermolecular interactions on the mean square end‐to‐end separations of macromolecules were studied by statistical sampling of multiple nonintersecting random walks on a square planar lattice. The ’’slithering snake’’ procedure was used to obtain large numbers of interacting random configurations, representing chains of 10, 20, 34, 62, and 104 links at various concentrations. The mean square end‐to‐end separation was studied as a function both of overall concentration and of chain length. With increasing concentration, the chains become shorter and the relative shortening becomes more pronounced with increasing contour chain length.