Critical Damping Critical damping provides the quickest approach to zero amplitude for a damped oscillator. With less damping (underdamping) it reaches the zero position more quickly, but oscillates around it. With more damping (overdamping), the approach to zero is slower. Critical damping occurs when the damping coefficient is equal to the undamped resonant frequency of the oscillator. Damped Oscillator Underdamped oscillator Overdamped oscillator

Index Periodic motion concepts Reference Barger & Olsson

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Overdamped Oscillator Overdamping of a damped oscillator will cause it to approach zero amplitude more slowly than for the case of critical damping. The damping coefficient is greater than the undamped resonant frequency . Damped Oscillator Underdamped oscillator Critical damping	Index Periodic motion concepts Reference Barger & Olsson
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