Define light, critical and heavy damping in simple harmonic motion.

Damping reduces the amplitude of oscillation of a system over time. Critical damping reduces the amplitude of the oscillations to zero in the shortest possible time, returning the system to the equilibrium point. Heavy damping returns the system to the equilibrium point slowly with no full oscillation. Light damping consists of oscillations with decaying amplitude over time (constant time period).

OW

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A cylindrical rod of radius 7mm and Young’s Modulus 70 GPa has a weight F applied to it. The material experiences a strain of 0.2%. What force has been applied?


Compare and contrast geostationary and low polar orbits.


Describe the photoelectric effect and what it tells us about the properties of light .


A light wave with wavelength 590nm shines upon a metal and causes it to emit an electron with a speed of 5x10^5 m/s. What is the work function of the metal?