Question

In damped SHM, the SI unit of damping constant is ______.

Options

• `"N"/"s"`

• `"kg"/"s"`

• `"kg"/"s"`

• `"N"/"m"`

Answer 1

In damped SHM, the SI unit of damping constant is `underline("kg"/"s")`.

Explanation:

In damped SHM, damping force is proportional to the velocity of the oscillator.

i.e., F_d ∝ v ⇒ F_d = bv

where, b is a damping constant.

∴ Damping constant, b = `"F"_"d"/"v"`

SI unit of damping constant

b = `"SI unit of force"/"SI unit of velocity"`

`= ("kg" * "m" * "s"^-2)/("m" * "s"^-1)`

`= "kg" * "s"^-1 = "kg"/"s"`

Hence, the SI unit of damping constant is kg/s.