Q11CQ - College Physics (Urone)

Question

 How would a car bounce after a bump under each of these conditions?

 • Over damping

 • Under damping 

• Critical damping

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

(a) The car bounces to a visible extent and takes longer time to come to equilibrium position.

(b) The car bounces with decreasing amplitude till it comes to equilibrium.

(c) The car arrives quickly to equilibrium without any oscillations.

Step 1: Understanding Overdamping Condition

Overdamping is the condition in which the damping of the oscillator causes it to return to the equilibrium position at an exponential decay rate with no oscillations. In this case, the car will bounce to a visible extent, and then it will return to the initial state on the road.

Step 2: Understanding under damping Condition

Under damping in a system is a condition in which oscillations occur with reduced frequency and amplitude also keeps on decreasing. In this case, the car will keep on bouncing with decreasing amplitude till it comes to a steady state.

Step 3: Understanding critical damping Condition

Critical Damping is the condition in which the damping of an oscillation will result in it returning as quickly as possible to its equilibrium position. The oscillator moves faster towards equilibrium than over damping conditions. Hence, if a car bounces after a bump in critical damping, the car would bounce minimum and return to the initial state immediately.