Describe critical damping.

In critical damping the system returns to its equilibrium position in the shortest possible time without oscillating and without overshooting.

Describe over-damping.

In over-damping the resistive force is so large that the system returns to equilibrium without oscillating, but it takes longer to get there than a critically damped system would.

How does the period of a lightly damped oscillator compare with that of the same system undamped?

The period is very slightly longer, but for light damping the difference is negligible and the frequency is treated as unchanged.

CCEA A-Level Physics 1210

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Simple Harmonic Motion

Damping: light, critical and over-damping

3 things to know
Unit A2 1

Overview

Light damping, critical damping and over-damping in everyday equipment.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

What is meant by damping?

Key term

What happens to the total energy of a damped oscillator, and where does it go?

Key term

Describe light damping.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What is meant by damping?
Model answer
Damping is the dissipation of the energy of an oscillating system to its surroundings by resistive forces, so the amplitude of the oscillation falls with time.
2
What happens to the total energy of a damped oscillator, and where does it go?
Model answer
The total energy of the oscillator decreases with time, transferred to the surroundings as internal energy through the work done against resistive forces such as air resistance and friction.
3
Describe light damping.
Model answer
In light damping the resistive force is small, so the system continues to oscillate at very nearly its natural frequency while the amplitude decays gradually over many cycles.
4
Describe critical damping.
Model answer
In critical damping the system returns to its equilibrium position in the shortest possible time without oscillating and without overshooting.
5
Describe over-damping.
Model answer
In over-damping the resistive force is so large that the system returns to equilibrium without oscillating, but it takes longer to get there than a critically damped system would.
6
How does the period of a lightly damped oscillator compare with that of the same system undamped?
Model answer
The period is very slightly longer, but for light damping the difference is negligible and the frequency is treated as unchanged.

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