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In [[physics]], '''thermalisation''' (in American English ''thermalization'') is the process of particles reaching [[thermal equilibrium]] through mutual interaction.
) is the process of particles reaching [[thermal equilibrium]] through mutual interaction.


When a molecule absorbs energy, as in the technique of molecular fluorescence, the lifetime of the excited state is ~10<sup>−12</sup> sec. Then it rapidly loses energy to the lowest level of the lowest excited state; this is called thermalization.
When a molecule absorbs energy, as in the technique of molecular fluorescence, the lifetime of the excited state is ~10<sup>−12</sup> sec. Then it rapidly loses energy to the lowest level of the lowest excited state; this is called thermalization.


In general the natural tendency of a system is towards a state of [[equipartition of energy]] or uniform temperature.
In general the natural tIn [[physics]], '''thermalisation''' (in American English ''thermalization''endency of a system is towards a state of [[equipartition of energy]] or uniform temperature.
This raises the system’s [[entropy]].
This raises the system’s [[entropy]].



Revision as of 14:59, 28 July 2010

) is the process of particles reaching thermal equilibrium through mutual interaction.

When a molecule absorbs energy, as in the technique of molecular fluorescence, the lifetime of the excited state is ~10−12 sec. Then it rapidly loses energy to the lowest level of the lowest excited state; this is called thermalization.

In general the natural tIn physics, thermalisation (in American English thermalizationendency of a system is towards a state of equipartition of energy or uniform temperature. This raises the system’s entropy.

Examples of thermalisation include:

  • the achievement of equilibrium in a plasma
  • the process undergone by high-energy neutrons as they lose energy by collision.