Comparing Beta: Baseball vs Balloon on a Slinky

[INeedHelpTY]

Homework Statement

Does a baseball on a slinky have a smaller Beta, or balloon on a slinky? Explain.

Homework Equations

Beta = b/sqrt(mk)

b: damping coefficient
m: mass
k: spring constant

The Attempt at a Solution

I see that the spring constant k is the same for either the baseball or the balloon case, because the slinky acts like a spring, so k is the spring constant.

The damping coefficient is different for the 2 cases so is the mass.

Since the mass of the baseball is heavier, it is assumed that the baseball case has a smaller beta. But what about the damping coefficient, b? How will this affect the system? In which case is b larger? I am stuck here on how to relate b, and mass together to get the answer. Thanks for the help.

 

[Dick]

This may be more of an opinion question than anything else. What causes damping?

 

[INeedHelpTY]

damping is any effect that tends to reduce the amplitude of oscillations in an oscillatory system

this is also the point that i am confused about, does the mass on the slinky has anything to do with this damping coefficient?

 

[Dick]

damping is any effect that tends to reduce the amplitude of oscillations in an oscillatory system

this is also the point that i am confused about, does the mass on the slinky has anything to do with this damping coefficient?

Damping is usually a frictional force. It usually has more to do with size of the object. I think the damping on a balloon is going to be greater, but the mass on the baseball is also greater. It may be an opinion question which wins. That's the problem.