Waves and Oscillations

Lecture No. 4
Topic: Damped Oscillation

Teacher’s name: Dr. Mehnaz Sharmin

Prepared by: Dr. Mehnaz Sharmin, Department of Physics,

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 Free Oscillation and Damped Oscillation
• If a oscillation occurs flawlessly without any resistive force acting on it is
called free oscillation.
• Any oscillation occurring in an air medium, experiences frictional force and
consequent energy dissipation occurs.
• The amplitude of oscillation decays continuously with time and finally
diminishes. Such oscillation is called damped oscillation.
• The dissipated energy appears as heat either within the oscillating system
itself or in the surrounding medium.
Prepared by: Dr. Mehnaz Sharmin, Department of Physics,
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 Characteristics of Damped Oscillation
• Frictional force acting on a body opposite to the direction of its motion is called
damping force.

• Damping force reduces the velocity and the kinetic energy of the moving body.

• Damping or dissipative forces generally arises due to the viscosity or friction in the
medium and are non-conservative in nature.

• When velocities of body are not high, damping force is found to be proportional to
velocity (v) of the particle

• The frequency of damped oscillator is always less than that of it’s natural or
undamped frequency.

• Amplitude of oscillation does not remain constant, rather it decays with time

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 Free Oscillation and Damped Oscillation

Reference
• https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-osuniversityphysics/chapter/15-5-damped-oscillations/
• https://www.google.com/search?q=damped+oscillation+in+pedulum&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwib4_vDsqzpAhUSA94KHcPxBe4Q2-
cCegQIABAA&oq=damped+oscillation+in+pedulum&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzoECAAQEzoICAAQCBAeEBNQpiZYq1xggWNoAXAAeACAAaQDiAGsKpIBCDItMTEuNi4ymAE
AoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWc&sclient=img&ei=V5O5XtvbEpKG-AbD45fwDg&bih=698&biw=1478&rlz=1C1GGRV_enBD789BD789#imgrc=I87e3Yba5bifcM
• https://www.quora.com/Does-frequency-change-in-damped-vibrations
Prepared by: Dr. Mehnaz Sharmin, Department of Physics,
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 Differential equation of a damped oscillator
If damping is taken into consideration for an oscillator, then oscillator 𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
⇒ +2𝑝 +ω2y =0 (4.1)
𝑑𝑡2 𝑑𝑡
experiences
b
2𝑝= = damping co-efficient of the medium.
(i) Restoring Force : 𝐹𝑟=−𝑘𝑦; k=force constant 𝑚

𝑑𝑦 p has the dimension of frequency referred to as

(ii) Damping Force : 𝐹𝑑=−𝑏 ; b=damping constant
𝑑𝑡 damping frequency.
Where, y is the displacement of oscillating system and v is the velocity of Solution:
this displacement. To solve equation (4.1) let us take the trial solution,
We, therefore, can write the equation of the damped harmonic oscillator 𝑦 = 𝐴𝑒 𝑚ʹ𝑡 (4.2)
as, 𝐹=𝐹𝑑+ 𝐹𝑟 Substituting this solution in equation (4.1) we get,

From Newton’s 2nd law of motion, F=

𝑑2 𝑦
m 𝑑𝑡2 𝑚ʹ2A𝑒 𝑚ʹ𝑡 +2p𝑚ʹ𝐴𝑒 𝑚ʹ𝑡 +𝜔2𝐴𝑒 𝑚ʹ𝑡 =0
⇒ 𝑚ʹ2y+ 2p𝑚ʹy+ 𝜔2y=0
Combination of Hook’s law and Newton’s 2nd law of motion:
⇒ 𝑚ʹ2+ 2p𝑚ʹ+ 𝜔2=0; [Quadratic equation]
𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
m 𝑑𝑡2 = -ky - 𝑏 𝑑𝑡 Solving this equation for 𝑚ʹ we get,

𝑑2 𝑦 k b 𝑑𝑦 2𝑝± 4𝑝2 −4𝜔2

⇒ + y +𝑚 𝑑𝑡 = 0 𝑚ʹ=- =- 𝑝 ± 𝑝2 − 𝜔2
𝑑𝑡2 𝑚 2

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 Various Conditions of Damped Oscillation
Then, the general solution of equation (4.1) is, 𝐶
= 𝑒 −𝑝𝑡 𝑒 (α𝑡+δ) + 𝑒 −(α𝑡+𝛿)
2
𝑝2 −𝜔2 𝑡 − 𝑝2 −𝜔2 𝑡
𝑦 = 𝑒 − 𝑝𝑡 𝐴𝑒 + 𝐵𝑒 (4.3) =
𝐶 − 𝑝𝑡
𝑒 × 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ(𝛼𝑡 + 𝛿)
2
− 𝑝𝑡
=C 𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ(𝛼𝑡 + 𝛿)
Case. I (Overdamped motion)
So, 𝑦=C 𝑒 −𝑝𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ 𝑝 2 − 𝜔2 𝑡 + 𝛿 (4.5)
If p2>ω2,the indices of “e” are real and we get,
𝑦 = 𝑒 − 𝑝𝑡 𝐴𝑒 α𝑡 + 𝐵𝑒 −α𝑡 (4.4) Negative power of “e” indicates exponential decrease of y that means
the particle does not oscillate. Equation (4.5) represents a continuous
Where, α = 𝑝2 − 𝜔2 return of y from its maximum value to zero at t=∞ without oscillation.
Now, let us replace A and B by two other constants C and δ This type of motion is called the overdamped or dead beat or aperiodic
𝐶 𝐶
such that we can write, A= 𝑒 δ and B= 𝑒 −δ motion.
2 2
𝐶 𝐶 −δ 𝐶 𝐶
Here, A+B= 𝑒 δ + 𝑒 = 𝑒 δ + 𝑒 −δ = 2𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ 𝛿
2 2 2 2
∴ 𝐴 + 𝐵 = 𝐶𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎδ y
1- Overdamping
𝐶 δ 2- Critical damping

Amplitude
𝐴 𝑒 Example:
= 2
𝐶 −δ = 𝑒 2δ 3- Underdamping
𝐵 𝑒
2 Dead beat galvanometer,
Using the new constants in equation (4.4), pendulum oscillating in a
𝐶 δ α𝑡 𝐶 viscous fluid, etc.
𝑦 = 𝑒 − 𝑝𝑡 𝑒 𝑒 + 𝑒 −δ 𝑒 −α𝑡 0
2 2 t

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Then, the general solution of equation (4.1) is, y =𝑎𝑒 − 𝑝𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑡cosγ + sin𝜃𝑡sin𝛾

𝑦 = 𝑒 − 𝑝𝑡 𝐴𝑒
𝑝2 −𝜔2 𝑡
+ 𝐵𝑒
− 𝑝2 −𝜔2 𝑡
(4.3) =𝑎𝑒 − 𝑝𝑡 cos(𝜃𝑡− γ)

Case. II (Underdamped motion) y =𝑎𝑒 − 𝑝𝑡 cos 𝜔2 − 𝑝2 𝑡− γ (4.6)

If p2<ω2,the indices of “e” are imaginary and we get, In this case y alternates in sign and we have periodic
motion but the amplitude continuously diminishes due to
Where, 𝜃= 𝜔2 − 𝑝 2
the factor 𝑒 − 𝑝𝑡 . This situation is called underdamping
𝑦 = 𝑒 − 𝑝𝑡 𝐴𝑒 𝑖𝜃𝑡 + 𝐵𝑒 −𝑖𝜃𝑡 with the amplitude 𝑎𝑒 − 𝑝𝑡 and the frequency 𝜔2 − 𝑝2 .
=𝑒 − 𝑝𝑡 𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑡 + 𝑖𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑡 + 𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑡 − 𝑖𝐵𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑡
=𝑒 − 𝑝𝑡 (𝐴 + 𝐵)𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑡 + 𝑖(𝐴 − 𝐵)𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑡 (4.5)
Let, (A+B)=𝑎cosγ and i(A-B)=𝑎sinγ y
1- Overdamping
𝑎= 𝑎2 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝛾 + 𝑎2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝛾 = 𝐴+𝐵 2 + 𝑖2 𝐴 − 𝐵 2
2- Critical damping

Amplitude
3- Underdamping
= 𝐴2 + 2𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵2 − 𝐴2 + 2𝐴𝐵 − 𝐵2 = ±2 𝐴𝐵
𝑎sinγ i(A−B)
tan 𝛾=
𝑎cosγ = (A+B)
t
Using the new constants in equation (4.5),
𝑦 = 𝑒 − 𝑝𝑡 𝑎cosγ 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑡 + 𝑎sin𝛾sin𝜃𝑡

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Then, the general solution of equation (4.1) is, y=𝑒 − 𝑝𝑡 [Aʹ +Bʹt] (4.8)

𝑦 = 𝑒 − 𝑝𝑡 𝐴𝑒
𝑝2 −𝜔2 𝑡
+ 𝐵𝑒
− 𝑝2 −𝜔2 𝑡
(4.3) At amplitude, y=ymax= 𝑎 (at t=0)

Case. III (Critical damping motion) Applying these two conditions in equation (4.8),

If p2= ω2, 𝑝2 − 𝜔2 = 0; So, 𝑝2 = 𝜔2, 𝑝 = 𝜔 𝑎=𝑒 0 (𝐴ʹ + 𝐵ʹ × 0)⇒ 𝐴ʹ= 𝑎

𝑑𝑦
From equation (4.3) we can write, = −𝑝𝑒 − 𝑝𝑡 𝐴ʹ + 𝐵ʹ𝑡 + 𝑒 −𝑝𝑡 𝐵ʹ
𝑑𝑡

𝑦 = 𝑒 − 𝜔𝑡 𝐴𝑒 0 + 𝐵𝑒 0 𝑑𝑦
=−𝑝𝑒 0 𝐴ʹ + 𝐵ʹ × 0 + 𝑒 0 𝐵ʹ=0
𝑑𝑡
t=0
=𝑒 − 𝜔𝑡 𝐴 + 𝐵
⇒ -𝑝𝐴ʹ + 𝐵ʹ = 0
It implies that the oscillation is decaying without any damping factor.
It is not possible. So, the solution breaks down. Now, we have to ⇒ 𝐵ʹ= 𝑝𝑎
consider that 𝑝2 is not quite equal to ω2, but very close to each other. So, from equation (4.8)
Thus 𝑝2 − 𝜔2 = ℎ ≈ 0 (close to zero but not zero).
y= 𝑒 −𝑝𝑡 𝑎 + 𝑝𝑎𝑡
From equation (Using the new constants in equation (4.3),
y= 𝑎𝑒 −𝑝𝑡 1 + 𝑝𝑡 (4.9)
2 2 3 3
ℎ𝑡 ℎ𝑡
𝑦 = 𝑒 − 𝑝𝑡 A𝑒 ℎ𝑡 + 𝐵𝑒 −ℎ𝑡 = 𝑒 − 𝑝𝑡 ቂA 1 + ℎ𝑡 + + +⋯ +
2 2 3 3
2! 3! This solution represents a continuous return of y from its
ℎ𝑡 ℎ𝑡
𝐵 1 − ℎ𝑡 + − + ⋯ ቃ= 𝑒 − 𝑝𝑡 𝐴(1 + ℎ𝑡) + 𝐵(1 − ℎ𝑡)] amplitude to zero. Although it looks like overdamped
2! 3!
motion it is actually a boundary between underdamped
y=𝑒 − 𝑝𝑡 𝐴 + 𝐵 + 𝐴 − 𝐵 ℎ𝑡 (4.7) and overdamped motion. Under this condition oscillatory
motion changes over to dead beat motion and vice versa.
Let, A+B=Aʹ and (A-B)h=Bʹ
Hence, this is called critical damping motion.
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 The Logarithmic Decrement
In the case of an underdamped motion the amplitude of the
A1 A2 A3 An−1 A
× n 𝑒λ × 𝑒λ ×
motion reduces with time following a particular fashion. Let us A2 × A3 × A4 × ………
A𝑛 A𝑛+1 =
calculate the decrement of the successive amplitudes at the
T 𝜋 𝑒 λ ×………𝑒 λ up to nth term ; Here, n=1, 2, 3, ………
intervals of time t= = . Let the magnitudes of successive
2 𝜔
amplitudes be A1, A2, A3,, A4, etc. Using the expression of A1 A
amplitude 𝑎𝑒 −𝑝𝑡 we get, ∴ = 𝑒 λ+λ+λ+ ………up to nth term ⇒ 1 = 𝑒 𝑛λ
A𝑛+1 A𝑛+1
At time t=0, A1=𝑎𝑒 0 = 𝑎 A1
⇒ 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒
A𝑛+1 =𝑛λ
T 𝜋 𝑝𝑇
At time t= = ,
2 𝜔
A2=𝑎𝑒 − 2
1 A1
∴ λ = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 (4.10)
At time t=𝑇
2𝜋
= , A3=𝑎𝑒 −𝑝𝑇 𝑛 A𝑛+1
𝜔

3T 3𝜋 3𝑝𝑇 λ in equation (4.10) is called the logarithmic decrement.

−
At time t=
2
= ,
𝜔
A4=𝑎𝑒 2

A1 A2 A3 𝑝𝑇
∴
A2 = A3 =A4 = ………….. =𝑒 = constant
2

Since, p and T are constants for a given motion.

𝑝𝑇
Putting, = λ we have
2

A 1 A2 A3
= = = ………….. =𝑒 λ
A 2 A3 A4

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• Angular frequency of a damped oscillator, ωʹ = 𝜔2 − 𝑝2

𝑘 b 𝑘 𝑏2
• Since, 𝜔2 = and 2𝑝= ; ωʹ = −
𝑚 𝑚 𝑚 4𝑚2

1
• Mechanical energy of a free oscillator, E= k𝑎2 =constant
2
𝑏
1 2 −2𝑝𝑡 1 2 −𝑚𝑡
• Mechanical energy of a damped oscillator, E= k𝑎 e = 2k𝑎 e ; [reduces with exponentially with time]
2

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Fundamentals of Physics – David Halliday, Robert Resnick, and Jearls Walker (6th Ed.), Chapter:16, page no. 361
Solution:
b= 0.07kg/s , km= (85N/m)(0.25 kg) =4.6
kg/s; Thus, b<< km (~66 times less)
2𝜋 𝑚 0.25 𝑘𝑔
(a) T= = 2𝜋 =2𝜋 = 0.34 s
𝜔 𝑘 85 𝑀/𝑚
𝑏𝑡
(b) 𝐴 = 𝑎𝑒 −𝑝𝑡 =𝑎𝑒 −2𝑚
𝑏𝑡 𝑏𝑡
− 𝑎 − 1
Now, 𝑎𝑒 2𝑚 = ⇒𝑒 2𝑚 =
2 2
𝑏𝑡
1
⇒loge 𝑒 −2𝑚 = loge
2
𝑏𝑡 1
⇒− =loge
2𝑚 2
1 1
−2𝑚loge −(2)(0.25 𝑘𝑔)loge
2 2
So, t= = = 5.0 s
𝑏 0.070 𝑘𝑔/𝑠
In terms of T: (5.0/0.34)=14.75 T≈15 T
𝑏𝑡
1 2 −𝑚
(c) E= k𝑎 e
2
𝑏𝑡 𝑏𝑡
1 2 −𝑚 1 1 2 − 1
2
k 𝑎 e = ( k𝑎 )⇒e 𝑚 =
2 2 2
1 1
−𝑚loge −(0.25 𝑘𝑔)loge
2 2
t= = = 2.5 s
𝑏 0.070 𝑘𝑔/𝑠
In terms of T: (2.5/0.34)=7.35 T≈7.5 T
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