Damped Ocillation
Key Stage 5
Meaning
Damped oscillations are oscillations that gradually reduce in amplitude due to the presence of resistive forces such as friction and drag.
About Damped Oscillations
- Types of Damping:
- Lightly Damped: the amplitude decreases gradually over time.
- Heavily Damped: the system returns to equilibrium without oscillating.
- Critically Damped: the system returns to equilibrium in the shortest possible time without oscillating.
- Resistive forces such as friction and air resistance cause damping.
- The energy of the oscillating system is gradually transferred to the environment.
- Damping affects the natural frequency of the oscillating system, causing it to decrease.
- The degree of damping determines how quickly the oscillations die out.
Examples
- A swinging pendulum in air experiences damped oscillations.
- Car shock absorbers use damping to reduce oscillations after driving over a bump.