| Abstract: | Chains that are unperturbed by the intramolecular excluded volume effect are examined in the free state and under conditions where one of the ends is attached to an impenetrable surface. The density of the attachment of the chains to the surface is so low that interchain interactions can be ignored. The shapes of the distribution functions for the squared end-to-end distance, r2, and squared radius of gyrations, s2, are evaluated in both situations. As is well-known from previous work, attachment of the chains to the impenetrable surface produces an increase in 〈r2〉 and (to a lesser extent) 〈s2〉. It also narrows the distribution function for r2. There is, however, no detectable effect on the shape of the distribution function for s2. The narrowing of the distribution function for r2, coupled with the absence of any effect on the shape of the distribution function for s2, is rationalized with a very simple model. |
