Statistics of Polymer Extension in a Random Flow with Mean Shear

Considering the dynamics of a polymer with finite extensibility placed in a chaotic flow with large mean shear, we explain how the statistics of polymer extension changes with Weissenberg number, ${\it Wi}$, defined as the product of the polymer relaxation time and the Lyapunov exponent of the flow. Four regimes, of the ${\it Wi}$ number, are identified. One below the coil-stretched transition and three above the coil-stretched transition. Specific emphasis is given to explaining these regimes in terms of the polymer dynamics.