Term: persistence length
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04515

Definition:
The average projection of the end-to-end vector on the tangent to the chain contour at a chain end in the limit of infinite chain length. The persistence length (symbol a) is the basic characteristic of the worm-like chain.

Related Terms:
1) chain length (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C00956).
2) worm-like chain (<em>in polymers</em>) (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.W06692).

Source: Purple Book, 1st ed., p. 51 (http://old.iupac.org/publications/books/author/metanomski.html)

Citation: 'persistence length' 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.P04515

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