Damped Ocillation

Key Stage 5

Damped oscillations are oscillations that gradually reduce in amplitude due to the presence of resistive forces such as friction and drag.

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.

A swinging pendulum in air experiences damped oscillations.
Car shock absorbers use damping to reduce oscillations after driving over a bump.