Damping is an influence within or upon an
oscillatory system that has the effect of reducing, restricting or preventing its oscillations. In physical systems, damping is produced by processes that dissipate the energy stored in the oscillation. Examples include
viscous drag in mechanical systems,
resistance in
electronic oscillators, and absorption and scattering of light in
optical oscillators. Damping not based on energy loss can be important in other oscillating systems such as those that occur in
biological systems.