Final answer:
The statement is true; an increased damping constant suggests higher resistive forces in the medium, leading to a more resistive environment for the oscillator (a).
Step-by-step explanation:
When the damping constant b of an oscillator increases, this implies that the medium in which the oscillator moves offers more resistance to motion. Therefore, the statement is true: as b increases, the oscillator is subjected to greater resistive forces, indicating a more resistive medium.
Damping and Oscillation
Damping refers to the phenomenon where the amplitude of oscillations decreases over time due to resistive forces, such as friction or air resistance, acting on the oscillator. An increased damping constant means that these forces are stronger, leading to a more rapid reduction of amplitude in the oscillating system.
Resonance and Damping
At resonance, a system oscillates with maximum amplitude. However, when damping is increased, the amplitude of these oscillations is lowered, and the system's response becomes broader over a range of driving frequencies. Higher damping leads to quicker energy dissipation, and a lower amplitude of forced oscillations.