How damped harmonic oscillator affects period

[p3forlife]

I have trouble understanding how damping affects the period (of a torsion pendulum). I know that damping affects the amplitude of the oscillator, however how would damping change the period then?

I have a feeling this has to do with angular frequency, w, given by:

w = sqrt( (k/m) - (b^2/4m^2) )
where k is the torsion constant
b is the damping constant
m is the mass on the pendulum

Since the period is the inverse of frequency, would the inverse of the above equation answer my question?

 

[naresh]

Yes, as long as you ensure that the units are right.