Mean-field theory

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-007083",
  "term": "Mean-field theory",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A theoretical approach used to simplify complex many-body problems by replacing the interactions between individual particles with an average, or 'mean,' interaction field. In polymer science, it is applied to describe the behavior of polymer chains in solutions or melts. This approximation reduces the computational complexity of statistical mechanics problems.",
  "subject": "Polymer",
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2015, 87, 71. 'Definitions of terms relating to individual macromolecules, macromolecular assemblies, polymer solutions, and amorphous bulk polymers (IUPAC Recommendations 2014)' on page 91 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2013-0201)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/mean-field-theory/"
}