THE PHYSICS OF SOFT CONDENSED MATTER
Hongru Ma, Lu Kun · 2000
The physics of soft matter is the study of materials which possess certain physical properties that respond strongly to small applied forces.Typical examples are liquid crystals,polymers,colloids,microemulsions,etc.Physically the structure and properties of such materials are determined mainly by entropy rather than by energy.We will review the basic concepts of soft matter,the role of entropy and give a detailed introduction to representative soft matters such as polymers,colloids and biological membranes.The effect of polymers on rheological properties is discussed from the interesting tube\|less siphon phenomenon;the entropic force is introduced through the phase transition and phase separation of hard sphere colloids.The interaction of charge stabilized colloids and DLVO theory are presented in some detail and accounts are also given of the newly found long\|range attraction between similarly charged colloid spheres.The study and understanding of soft matter is only in its preliminary stage;further research and a deep understanding of this kind of material will greatly enhance the understanding of the world around us in daily life and of mankind itself.