Damping is the gradual decrease in the amplitude of an oscillating system due to resistive forces such as friction, air resistance, or internal material forces.
Types of oscillations:
- Undamped oscillations: The amplitude remains constant because no external resistive force is present. Example: an ideal pendulum in a vacuum.
- Damped oscillations: The amplitude decreases over time due to energy loss in the form of heat or sound. Example: a swinging pendulum in air.
Causes of damping:
- Air resistance
- Internal friction within the material
- Energy dissipation into surrounding media
Applications of damping:
- Shock absorbers in vehicles
- Seismographs to record earthquakes
- Reducing vibrations in machinery for smooth operation