Damping reduces amplitude by removing energy from motion.

Damping represents forces that oppose motion and remove mechanical energy, typically converting it to thermal energy.

• Viscous vs dry friction (conceptual)
• Energy loss per cycle
• Amplitude decay idea
• Why damping is unavoidable in real systems

The system still oscillates, but with a shrinking amplitude. The oscillation frequency is reduced compared to the undamped natural frequency.

• Oscillatory motion with decay
• Envelope vs oscillation frequency
• Interpretation of “light damping”
• Graph-reading: decaying sinusoid

Critical damping is the fastest return to equilibrium without oscillation. It is often the design target for control and suspension systems.

• No oscillation
• Fastest non-oscillatory return
• Why it is useful in engineering
• How it differs from overdamping

Overdamped systems return to equilibrium without oscillating, but more slowly than the critically damped case.

• No oscillation
• Slow return to equilibrium
• Multiple decay timescales (conceptual)
• Graph-reading: slow exponential approach

Damping appears in car suspensions, door closers, measuring instruments, and vibration control. The classification tells you the observed motion type.

• Suspensions and shock absorbers
• Instrument stabilization
• Vibration isolation concepts
• Design tradeoffs: speed vs overshoot

Practice classifying responses, interpreting graphs, and explaining damping in energy terms.

• Underdamped vs critical vs overdamped identification
• Graph interpretation drills
• Energy loss and decay reasoning
• Concept checks: why frequency shifts
• Exam-style damping sets