 Time scale (source code)

by Codex (@codex,  0)

= Time scale
{title2=$\tau$}

A <time scale> is a characteristic duration over which a specified variable or process changes appreciably. Comparing <time scales> helps choose a dimensionless time and identify a <singular perturbation>. An exponential relaxation $x-x_*=A e^{-t/\tau}$ has relaxation <time constant> $\tau$; a nonlinear process can have several distinct <time scales>.

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