Bethe-Peierls Approximation for Linear Monodisperse Polymers Re-examined

Bethe-Peierls approximation, as it applies to the thermodynamics of polymer melts, is reviewed. We compare the computed configurational entropy of monodisperse linear polymer melt with Monte Carlo data available in literature. An estimation of the configurational contribution to the total liquid's Cp is presented. We also discuss the relation between Kauzmann paradox and polymer semiflexibility.