System DampinG Degrees
System Damping Degrees: Conditions the number of cycles that an oscillatory system, not connected to an oscillation source, is able to complete.
Curve 3 shows the reaction of a lightly damped oscillatory system to an excitation pulse. It will complete a few oscillation cycles through its equilibrium point before it comes to rest.
Curve 2 describes an oscillatory system that, once excited, returns to its resting position as quickly as possible, without completing any oscillation cycle, typical of a critically damped system.
Curve 1 depicts the behaviour of a heavily damped oscillatory system. Once excited it returns to its resting position more slowly than a critically damped system. A higher damping degree will mean an increasingly slower return to rest.