Worm-Like Chain Model

The worm-like chain (WLC) describes semiflexible polymers like DNA. Bending energy penalizes curvature; the persistence length L_p sets the crossover between rigid-rod and flexible-coil behavior. End-to-end distance ⟨R²⟩ = 2L_p·L[1 − (L_p/L)(1 − e^{−L/L_p})].

⟨R²⟩^½ = — nm

L/L_p = —

Regime: —

Contour length L (nm)

150

Persistence length L_p (nm)

Segments

Thermal factor kT