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Relaxation (physics)
In the physical sciences, relaxation usually means the return of a perturbed system into equilibrium.
Each relaxation process can be categorized by a relaxation time τ. The simplest theoretical
description of relaxation as function of time t is an exponential law exp(−t/τ) (exponential decay).
Electronics: RC circuit
In an RC circuit containing a charged capacitor and a resistor, the voltage decays exponentially:
The constant is called the relaxation time or RC time constant of the circuit. A nonlinear
oscillator circuit which generates a repeating waveform by the repetitive discharge of a capacitor
through a resistance is called a relaxation oscillator.
Stress relaxation
In continuum mechanics, stress relaxation is the gradual disappearance of stresses from a viscoelastic
medium after it has been deformed.
In dielectric materials, the dielectric polarization P depends on the electric field E. If E changes, P(t)
reacts: the polarization relaxes towards a new equilibrium, i.e., the surface charges equalize. It is
important in dielectric spectroscopy. Very long relaxation times are responsible for dielectric
absorption.
The dielectric relaxation time is closely related to the electrical conductivity. In a semiconductor it is a
measure of how long it takes to become neutralized by conduction process. This relaxation time is
small in metals and can be large in semiconductors and insulators.
The term "structural relaxation" was introduced in the scientific literature in 1947/48 without any
explanation, applied to NMR, and meaning the same as "thermal relaxation".[1]
In other words, reactant A and product B are forming into one another based on reaction rate
constants k and k'.
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To solve for the concentration of A, recognize that the forward reaction ( ) causes the
concentration of A to decrease over time, whereas the reverse reaction ( ) causes the
concentration of A to increase over time.
If we say that at , and applying the law of conservation of mass, we can say that at
any time, the sum of the concentrations of A and B must be equal to the concentration of ,
assuming the volume into which A and B are dissolved does not change:
Substituting this value for [B] in terms of [A]0 and [A](t) yields
In atmospheric sciences
Desaturation of clouds
Consider a supersaturated portion of a cloud. Then shut off the updrafts, entrainment, and any other
vapor sources/sinks and things that would induce the growth of the particles (ice or water). Then wait
for this supersaturation to reduce and become just saturation (relative humidity = 100%), which is the
equilibrium state. The time it takes for the supersaturation to dissipate is called relaxation time. It will
happen as ice crystals or liquid water content grow within the cloud and will thus consume the
contained moisture. The dynamics of relaxation are very important in cloud physics for accurate
mathematical modelling.
In water clouds where the concentrations are larger (hundreds per cm3) and the temperatures are
warmer (thus allowing for much lower supersaturation rates as compared to ice clouds), the
relaxation times will be very low (seconds to minutes).[3]
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In ice clouds the concentrations are lower (just a few per liter) and the temperatures are colder (very
high supersaturation rates) and so the relaxation times can be as long as several hours. Relaxation
time is given as
In astronomy
In astronomy, relaxation time relates to clusters of gravitationally interacting bodies, for instance,
stars in a galaxy. The relaxation time is a measure of the time it takes for one object in the system (the
"test star") to be significantly perturbed by other objects in the system (the "field stars"). It is most
commonly defined as the time for the test star's velocity to change by of order itself.
Suppose that the test star has velocity v. As the star moves along its orbit, its motion will be randomly
perturbed by the gravitational field of nearby stars. The relaxation time can be shown to be [4]
where ρ is the mean density, m is the test-star mass, σ is the 1d velocity dispersion of the field stars,
and ln Λ is the Coulomb logarithm.
Various events occur on timescales relating to the relaxation time, including core collapse, energy
equipartition, and formation of a Bahcall-Wolf cusp around a supermassive black hole.
See also
Relaxation oscillator
Time constant
References
1. Kittel, Rep. Prog. Phys. 1947; Hall, Phys. Rev. 1948; Wintner Phys. Rev. 1948.
2. Atkins P. and de Paula J. Atkins' Physical Chemistry (8th ed., W.H.Freeman 2006) p.805-7,
ISBN 0-7167-8759-8
3. Rogers, R.R.; Yau, M.K. (1989). A Short Course in Cloud Physics (https://books.google.com/book
s?id=dZkRAQAAIAAJ). International Series in Natural Philosophy. Vol. 113 (3rd ed.). Elsevier
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