An over-damped system produces a smoother, slower step response. An over-damped
system is characterized by no overshoot, and long rise and settling times.
An under-damped system produces a slight oscillatory response that eventually
dampens out. An under-damped system is characterized by a large overshoot, a long
settling time, and short peak and rise times.
A critically damped system response provides a balanced medium between over- and
under-damping. This type of system response balances response time and damping
effects. A critically damped system is characterized by low overshoot, shorter rise and
settling times when compared to over-damped systems, and longer peak times when
compared to under-damped systems.
