Damping Notes

Damping means any mechanism that dissipates energy from an oscillating system.

There are 3 types of damping:

1. Light damping: When the amplitude of oscillation reduces slowly.

2. Critical damping: The system returns to equilibrium in the shortest possible time without oscillating.

- This is the ideal balance between speed and overshoot.

Real-life Example: The car suspension is (designed ideally to be near critical damping).

3. Heavy damping: The system returns to equilibrium without oscillating, but more slowly than critical damping.

Here, Damping is excessive, and motion is sluggish.

Real-life Example: A door with a very stiff closing mechanism.