Relaxation behavior in a bistable chemical system. Plateau behavior

Abstract

The relaxation behavior of the bistable iodate–arsenous acid reaction near a hysteresis limit has been investigated. Outside the bistability region, relaxations to the unique stable steady state may exhibit a plateau in concentration as a function of time, corresponding to a local minimum in rate of reaction. Very close to the saddle-node bifurcation defining the bistability limit, the relaxing system remains in the plateau for long periods of time. Experimental measurements of plateau behavior are compared to behavior predicted by a one-variable model of the iodate–arsenous acid system.