Term: relaxation
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05285

Definition:
If a system is disturbed from its state of equilibrium it relaxes to that state, and the process is referred to as relaxation. The branch of kinetics concerned with such processes is known as relaxation kinetics. Relaxation techniques include temperature jump and pressure jump.

Related Terms:
1) chemical relaxation (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01035).
2) relaxation kinetics (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05286).
3) pressure jump (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04823).
4) temperature jump (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.T06265).

Source: PAC, 1993, 65, 2291. 'Nomenclature of kinetic methods of analysis (IUPAC Recommendations 1993)' on page 2297 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199365102291)

Citation: 'relaxation' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05285

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