Term: bead-spring model
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.B00620

Definition:
A model simulating the hydrodynamic properties of a chain macromolecule consisting of a sequence of beads, each of which offers hydrodynamic resistance to the flow of the surrounding medium and is connected to the next bead by a spring which does not contribute to the frictional interaction but which is responsible for the elastic and deformational properties of the chain. The mutual orientation of the springs is random.

Related Terms:
1) sequence (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.ST06775).
2) resistance (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05315).

Source: Purple Book, 1st ed., p. 61 (http://old.iupac.org/publications/books/author/metanomski.html)

Citation: 'bead-spring model' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.B00620

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