title: The Science of Polymer Molecules (Cambridge Solid State Science Series)
author:  Richard H. Boyd 
description: "...a welcome addition to the scientific literature in general and to the Cambridge Solid State Science Series ...an exceptionally interesting and useful book..." Polymer News and Computational Polymer Science<br /><br />"Recommended for academic libraries wherever polymer or materials science are taught." Choice
zlib_text: A. RavvePrinciples of Polymer Chemistry3rd ed.
  201210.1007/978-1-4614-2212-9_1(C) Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012
  
  # 1. Introduction and Nomenclature
  
  A. Ravve1
  
  (1)
  
  Niles, IL, USA
  
  Abstract
  
  The initial proof of the existence of very large organic molecules was
  supplied by Raoult [1] and van't Hoff [2], who carried out cryoscopic
  molecular weight determinations on rubber, starch, and cellulose nitrate. By
  the methods developed by Raoult and by van't Hoff and by the formulation of
  solution laws, molecular weights of 10,000-40,000 were demonstrated.
  Unfortunately, chemists of that day failed to appreciate this evidence and
  refused to accept it. The main reason for such a response was the inability to
  distinguish macromolecules from colloidal substances that could be obtained in
  low molecular weights. The opinion of the majority of that day was that
  "Raoul's solution does not apply to materials in colloidal state."
  
  ## 1.1 Brief Historical Introduction
  
  The initial proof of th