Steady state 1326107 224600311 2008-07-09T16:29:49Z 129.215.91.12 {{otheruses4|a science-related concept| other uses, such as economic see below or|Steady state (disambiguation)}} '''Steady state''' is a more general situation than [[dynamic equilibrium]]. If a [[system]] is in steady state, then the recently observed behavior of the system will continue into the future. In [[stochastic]] systems, the probabilities that various different states will be repeated will remain constant. In many systems, steady state is not achieved until some time has elapsed after the system is started or initiated. This initial situation is often identified as a [[transient]] state, start-up or warm-up period. While a [[dynamic equilibrium]] occurs when two or more reversible processes occur at the same rate, and such a system can be said to be in steady state; a system that is in steady state may not necessarily be in a state of [[dynamic equilibrium]], because some of the processes involved are not reversible. For example: The flow of material through a system, or electricity through a network, could be in a steady state because there is a constant flow of material, or electricity. Conversely the filling or draining of a tank with material would be an example of a [[transient]] state. ==See also== *[[Attractor]] *[[Carrying capacity]] *[[Control theory]] *[[Dynamical system]] *[[Ecological footprint]] *[[Economic growth]] *[[Engine test stand]] *[[Equilibrium]] *[[Evolutionary economics]] *[[Growth curve]] *[[Herman Daly]] *[[Homeostasis]] *[[Limit-cycle]] *[[Limits to Growth]] *[[Population dynamics]] *[[State function]] *[[Steady State theory]] *[[Systems theory]] *[[Thermodynamic equilibrium]] ==== Bibliography ==== [[Bronowski]], J. (1973). ''The Ascent of Man'', Little, Brown, pp. 348-349. [[Category:Systems theory]] {{Math-stub}} {{Physics-stub}} {{Chemistry-stub}} {{Science-stub}} {{Economics-stub}} {{macroeconomics-stub}} {{Systemstheory-stub}} [[af:Gestadigde toestand]] [[de:Eingeschwungener Zustand]] [[es:Estado estacionario]] [[fr:État stationnaire]] [[no:Steady state]] [[pl:Stan ustalony]]