[Physics] the difference between damping and friction

dissipationdragfrictionterminology

What is the difference between damping and friction? Both of them slows down any moving system. So what's the conceptual difference between them?

Best Answer

They are entirely different concepts. Your question is like asking "What is the difference between "temperature" and "weather"?" The term "damping" in physics typically refers to an effect that causes a reduction in the rate at which some process takes place. For the case of harmonic motion this can result in a reduction (over time) of the amplitude of a harmonic oscillation. "Friction" typically refers to a (dissipative) force acting on a system. Friction can be the cause of damping in a system.

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