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
Answered by Oscar W. Physics tutor

19305 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A 80kg man is hanging from two 1.5m ropes that lie at 60 degrees from the horizontal. What is the tension in each rope required to prevent the man from dropping?


(ii) Describe and explain how the horizontal component of the water jet varies from point X to point Y. (2 marks)


A projectile is launched from the ground at a speed of 40ms^-1 at an angle of 30 degrees to the horizontal, where does it land? What is the highest point the projectile reaches?


Explain how resonance occurs for a driven oscillating system and describe the effect of damping on the resonant frequency.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning