Why Is Critical Damping Faster Than Overdamped:Detailed Insights

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The reason why is critical damping faster than overdamped is because of the fact that critical damping moves to equilibrium state than the overdamping.

Critical damping is applying a resistive force against the oscillating system to bring it to stop it at once. Damping is when a strong resistive force is applied against the motion of an object that is undergoing simple harmonic motion.

Explaining why critical damping is faster than overdamping. A girl on swing will be swinging forever if there wasn’t any air resistance force. But a force must be applied to bring the swing to rest that is when displacement is zero. When displacement is zero, the system is said to be in equilibrium.

When a force is applied to the motion, that is damping applied, the swing moves in a way that the amplitude lowers slowly. This is called as light damping. When a strong force is applied against the motion then the swing is slowed down and the amplitude lowers further more.

Now when there is an even stronger force applied on the swing, it goes past the point of equilibrium and comes back. The force acts negative here and finally the swing comes to rest as quickly as possible making the displacement zero. This is known as critical damping.

Why critical damping is faster than overdamped and this is the reason behind it. At critical damping the oscillating system moves to equilibrium as soon as possible than overdamping.

Why Is Critical Damping Faster Than Overdamped
“Swings” by Riebart is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Why is critical damping faster than overdamped

In an oscillation system, overdamping means the oscillations come to rest after a long time after applying the resistive force. Light damping means the oscillation come to rest gradually. But critical damping means the oscillations come to rest immediately.

A damping system becomes critically damped when the damping factor is (ζ = 1). As the zeta (ζ) value goes more than 1 the system response will become slow and the vibrations or oscillations will take a longer time to reach the equilibrium position.

When ζ values goes lower than 1 the oscillation will gradually come to rest that is it will return to the equilibrium position at a slow pace.

When,

      (ζ)  = 1; critical damping

      (ζ)   = >1; overdamping

  (ζ)   = <1 ; underdamping.

From the above cases we can come to a conclusion that, critical damping is the threshold point above which the overdamping occurs that is equilibrium position attained at a very slow rate. And below which it is known as underdamping that is when the equilibrium position is reached gradually.

So from the observation it is known that critical damping means the return to the equilibrium position of an object under motion is faster than the overdamping.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does critical damping mean?

Critical damping is the threshold point between the overdamping and the underdamping.

For critical damping, the damping factor is equal to 1. When the damping factor goes more than one it is known as overdamping. And when the damping factor goes below 1 it is known as the underdamping.

Which system is considered to be critically damped system?

A system which has the smallest value of amplitude is known as the critically damped system.

The smallest value of amplitude also means that the oscillation or the vibrations of a system is the zero having no value. The system reaches equilibrium position at faster rate. This value separates the non-oscillations from the oscillation.

Why does overdamped take a longer time?

The overdamped takes a long time because it reaches the equilibrium position after a very long time.

Since the damping factor in an overdamped system is more than 1 the system takes a long time to respond and also to reach a steady-state position. The amplitude in this system reduces slowly. This is exactly why critical damping is faster than overdamped.

What is an example of critical damped situation?

Automobile shock absorber is a very good example of critically damped situation.

Critical damping means putting a stop to the vibrations or oscillations to a system under motion. This shock absorber is a device in an automobile which has a control over the mounted device that is in the form of spring mounted.

How is overdamped, underdamped and critically damped system distinguished?

The damping factor the return of the system to the equilibrium position distinguishes the system if it is overdamped, underdamped or critically damped.

When a system returns to the equilibrium position at once with zero vibrations or oscillations it is known as critical damping. Here the damping factor is 1.When a system takes a very long tome time to reach the equilibrium position it is known as overdamped. The damping factor is more than 1. When a system gradually comes back to the equilibrium position it is known as underdamped. The damping factor is less than 1.

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