Damped Oscillator

A damped oscillator is a system that experiences repetitive motion, like a swinging pendulum or a weight on a spring, but gradually slows down and stops over time due to energy loss. This energy loss often comes from friction or air resistance, which acts as a damping force. As a result, the amplitude of the oscillation decreases exponentially, meaning the movement becomes smaller until it eventually ceases. Damped oscillators are common in engineering and physics, helping us understand how systems lose energy and settle into rest after being disturbed.