It also led to the concept of the theta point, the set of conditions at which an experiment can be conducted that causes the excluded volume effect to be neutralized. At the theta point, the chain reverts to ideal chain characteristics. The long-range interactions arising from excluded volume are eliminated, allowing the experimenter to more easily measure short-range features such as structural geometry, bond rotation potentials, and steric interactions between near-neighboring groups.
The concept of the theta point was introduced, which is a set of conditions that allow an experiment to be conducted without the influence of excluded volume effects. At this point, the chain returns to its ideal characteristics. The long-range interactions caused by excluded volume are eliminated, making it easier to measure short-range features like structural geometry, bond rotation potentials, and steric interactions between nearby groups.