Question

what is the order of magnitude of relaxation time.

Answer 1

1. The time taken by a disturbed system to reach equilibrium, or the time taken for the magnitude of some parameter to decrease to about 37% of its initial value. For example, the temperature-dependent relaxation time (τ) of a dielectric is related to the relaxation frequency (fr) such that τ = 1/(2πfr). Physically, it is the time taken for an ionic defect to move within a crystal lattice under the influence of an applied alternating electromagnetic field.

2. In geomorphology, the time taken for a system to become adjusted to a sustained change in the nature and/or intensity of external process