Quality Factor (Q Factor)
Measure of how underdamped an oscillator is; higher Q means less energy loss per cycle.
Variables
Derivation
Q = 2π × (energy stored)/(energy lost per cycle) = ω₀m/b = ω₀/Δω.
Your notes
Check value
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- ω₀ = 2 rad/s (Natural angular frequency)
- b = 3 kg/s (Damping coefficient)
- m = 4 kg (Mass)
Result: Q = 2.6666667
Other waves formulas with the same quantities
- Spring Oscillation Period (Simple Harmonic Motion) shares Mass
- SHM Total Energy (Simple Harmonic Motion) shares Mass
- Physical Pendulum Period (Simple Harmonic Motion) shares Mass
Where this formula is listed
- Waves formulas, under Simple Harmonic Motion, alongside SHM Displacement, SHM Velocity, SHM Acceleration, SHM Maximum Velocity and Pendulum Period.
- In the waves list it comes after Damped Oscillation and before Resonance Amplitude.
- Waves formula sheet, one of 37 formulas printed with symbol keys and SI units.
- The full formula index, grouped by category and topic.
Common questions
What is the Quality Factor (Q Factor) formula?
Quality Factor (Q Factor) is written Q = mω₀/b = ω₀/Δω. Measure of how underdamped an oscillator is; higher Q means less energy loss per cycle. It belongs to Waves, under Simple Harmonic Motion.
What are the units in Q = mω₀/b = ω₀/Δω?
In SI units, Q is quality factor (dimensionless); ω₀ is natural angular frequency, measured in rad/s; b is damping coefficient, measured in kg/s; m is mass, measured in kg; Δω is resonance bandwidth, measured in rad/s.
How is the Quality Factor (Q Factor) formula derived?
Q = 2π × (energy stored)/(energy lost per cycle) = ω₀m/b = ω₀/Δω. The result is Q = mω₀/b = ω₀/Δω.