Solution (source code)

= Solution

Here $R$ denotes a typical chain size, such as an rms <end-to-end distance of a polymer chain>, rather than the mean end-to-end vector of an isotropic solution, which is zero. The <Flory approximation> gives $R\sim aN^{3/5}$ in a <good solvent>, an <ideal chain> has $R\sim aN^{1/2}$ in a <theta solvent>, and a compact <polymer globule> has size $R\sim aN^{1/3}$ in a strongly <poor solvent>. These are scaling estimates with order-one prefactors omitted, treating the stated $N$ as the segment count associated with the supplied statistical length.