Relaxation (physics)
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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).
In simple linear systems
Mechanics: Damped unforced oscillator
Let the homogeneous differential equation:
model
The displacement will then be of the form . The constant T () is called the relaxation time of the system and the constant μ is the quasi-frequency.
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.
In condensed matter physics
In condensed matter physics, relaxation is usually studied as a linear response to a small external perturbation. Since the underlying microscopic processes are active even in the absence of external perturbations, one can also study "relaxation in equilibrium" instead of the usual "relaxation into equilibrium" (see fluctuation-dissipation theorem).
Stress relaxation
In
Dielectric relaxation time
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
Liquids and amorphous solids
An
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][2][3]
Spin relaxation in NMR
In nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), various relaxations are the properties that it measures.
Chemical relaxation methods
In
Monomolecular first-order reversible reaction
A monomolecular, first order reversible reaction which is close to equilibrium can be visualized by the following symbolic structure:
In other words, reactant A and product B are forming into one another based on reaction rate constants k and k'.
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.
Therefore, , where brackets around A and B indicate concentrations.
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
This equation can be solved by substitution to yield
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
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).[5]
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
where:
- D = diffusion coefficient [m2/s]
- N = concentration (of ice crystals or water droplets) [m−3]
- R = mean radius of particles [m]
- K = capacitance [unitless].
In astronomy
In
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[6]
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
See also
References
- .
- ^ Hall, Phys. Rev. 1948[full citation needed]
- ^ Wintner Phys. Rev. 1948.[full citation needed]
- ISBN 0-7167-8759-8
- ISBN 0750632151.
- ISBN 0691083096.