Physics A-Level
Damping
What Damping means in Physics A-Level, as defined for AQA, OCR.
Definitions of Damping
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Reference: OCR
The removal of energy from an oscillatory system, usually transferred to thermal stores, so the amplitude of free oscillations decreases with time.
Dissipates mechanical energy, usually as thermal energy, so the resonant amplitude is reduced compared with the undamped or lightly damped case.
Removes energy from the system, preventing the resonant amplitude from increasing indefinitely and slightly reducing the resonant frequency.
Resistive forces do work on the oscillator, so mechanical energy is dissipated to the surroundings and the amplitude decreases with time.
Heavier damping lowers and broadens the resonance peak, reducing the maximum amplitude.
Friction or resistance reduces the amplitude of oscillation in both systems.
Topics that use Damping
- Forced vibrations and resonance (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
- LC resonance filters (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
- Simple harmonic systems (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
- Damping (OCR A-Level)
Related terms
- Critical damping
- Heavy damping
- Light damping
- Resonance
- Amplitude–driving frequency graph
- Analogy between electrical and mechanical systems
- Damping and energy dissipation
- Damping and resonance amplitude
Using Damping in the exam
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