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Damping

● VERBATIM — examined word-for-word

The continuous loss of energy of an oscillating system to resistive forces, causing the amplitude to decrease progressively.

What this actually means

Damping is continuous energy loss to resistive forces such as drag and friction, showing up as a progressively shrinking amplitude.

It removes energy; it does not change what the system fundamentally is. Under light damping the period is almost untouched.

Definition marks come from the three phrases: continuous energy loss, resistive forces, amplitude decreasing progressively.

Prove it — watch it be true

  1. Raise the damping slider
  2. Watch the x–t peaks shrink inside a decaying envelope
  3. Watch the total-energy bar drain — that drain IS the damping
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