Fig. 1: Entropic pulling effects in many systems.

a Bond-length distribution for a harmonic bond. The peak location, \({l}_{b}+\Delta l\), is larger than the spring equilibrium length, \({l}_{b}\). b Entropic force and \(\Delta l\). c Simulation snapshot of a membrane with a bound particle. d The average z-position of different beads on the membrane. The peak is located at the anchor. e Entropic force and deformation at the anchor. f Snapshot of a chain with particle binding in a 2D simulation. g Average chain conformation shows a hump at the anchor for \({l}_{b}=8\sigma\). h Entropic pulling force at the anchor. i Simulation snapshot of a rod with particle binding. j Entropic force and deformation at the anchor. k Deformations of different beads on the rod. For better viewing, the deformations on a rod are transformed to the deformations on a flat surface. The peak is located at the anchor. l, m Entropic force at the anchor when a harmonic or Coulomb potential is applied for the binding at the anchor.