What is overdamping?

Overdamping is a phenomenon in dynamic systems, particularly in mechanical and electrical systems, where the damping force is so strong that it prevents oscillations from occurring. In this state, the system returns to equilibrium slowly without overshooting, resulting in a gradual approach to rest. Overdamping contrasts with underdamping, where oscillations occur, and critically damped systems, which return to equilibrium as quickly as possible without oscillating. This behavior is commonly analyzed in the context of second-order differential equations.