Damping ratio
Also: ζ, zeta
A dimensionless measure of damping relative to critical damping in a second-order model.
ζ<1 is underdamped, ζ=1 critically damped, and ζ>1 overdamped for the canonical linear model.
- Units
- dimensionless
Example A low damping ratio often produces oscillatory overshoot after a step.
Common misconception Damping ratio is a model parameter, not a universal description of every nonlinear response.