17.3.2—The terms light, critical and heavy damping and sketch displacement–time

Light damping allows oscillations with decreasing amplitude; critical damping returns to equilibrium fastest without oscillating; heavy damping returns more slowly without overshoot.

Sketch displacement against time with or without crossings of equilibrium and compare settling time, not just initial slope.

A door closer is designed near critical damping so the door settles promptly without repeated swinging.

Critical damping is not “maximum resistance” in every situation; too much damping can make return slower.