View source for Damped Ocillation

==Key Stage 5==
===Meaning===
'''Damped oscillations''' are [[Oscillate|oscillations]] that gradually reduce in [[amplitude]] due to the presence of resistive [[force]]s such as [[friction]] and [[drag]].

===About Damped Oscillations===
*Types of Damping:
**[[Light Damping|Lightly Damped]]: the [[amplitude]] decreases gradually over [[time]].
**[[Heavy Damping|Heavily Damped]]: the [[system]] returns to [[Equilibrium Position|equilibrium]] without [[Oscillate|oscillating]].
**[[Critical Damping|Critically Damped]]: the [[system]] returns to [[Equilibrium Position|equilibrium]] in the shortest possible [[time]] without [[Oscillate|oscillating]].
*[[Resistive forces]] such as [[friction]] and [[Air Resistance|air resistance]] cause '''damping'''.
*The [[energy]] of the [[Oscillate|oscillating]] [[system]] is gradually [[Energy Transfer|transferred]] to the environment.
*'''Damping''' affects the [[Natural Frequency|natural frequency]] of the [[Oscillate|oscillating]] [[system]], causing it to decrease.
*The degree of '''damping''' determines how quickly the [[Oscillate|oscillations]] die out.

===Examples===

*A swinging [[pendulum]] in [[air]] experiences '''damped oscillations'''.
*Car shock absorbers use '''damping''' to reduce [[Oscillate|oscillations]] after driving over a bump.