X‐Ray and light scattering by chain molecules in solution

Abstract Starting from Debyes theory the problem of x‐ray and visible light scattering of chain molecules in solution is shown to be essentially a problem of distance statistics. The exact calculation of the average \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$\overline {r^4 }$\end{document} is carried out for a simple model in order to characterize the distance distribution functions as to their width. On that basis a refined approximation of the scattering function is available. By a numerical example the essential features of the preliminary theory are corroborated. It is shown that the scattering function of a coiled chain molecule approaches asymptotically that of the corresponding rigid rod.