Macromolecular hypothesis 1 measuring

Polymer solutions represent the most convinient systems for studying the properties of the macromolecules. In effect, almost the all information that we have now about the properties of macromolecules comes from the characterization realized in solution. This is the state in which linear chains are characterized. Osmotic pressure measurements in polymer solutions revealed for the first time the existence of high molecular masses and this result confirmed the macromolecular hypothesis. The development of our knowledge of the polymer solutions reflects to some extention the development of the Polymer Chemistry itself. 

In fact, the decisive experimental proof of the macromolecular hypothesis has been given by osmotic pressure measurements in very dilute solutions. A second fundamental contribution is more recent. It deals with the study of systems of strongly overlapping chains. The observations made by Noda and his collaborators (1980) definitely showed that, in this case, the osmotic pressure dependence of the solute concentration follows a universal law the crossover with the dilute state is also universal. These results gave an experimental proof of the principles which constitute the basis of the modern theory introduced by de Gennes and des Cloizeaux. 

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