Past exam of the materials science course of the University of Cambridge / 2018 / Paper 1 / 6 / c / i

With $s={\omega }^2$, the curve isIt rises linearly from zero, bends downward and approaches the plateau $k$. Its half-height occurs at $s={\tau }^{-2}$.

For ${\omega }^2\ll {\tau }^{-2}$, the dashpot contributes the larger strain and dominates the compliant response. For ${\omega }^2\gg {\tau }^{-2}$, dashpot deformation during a cycle is small relative to spring strain, and the response is spring-dominated. The crossover separates these regimes rather than a discontinuous transition.