Which term describes a system that reacts too slowly to disturbances?

A system that reacts too slowly to disturbances is described as overdamped. In control systems, damping refers to how quickly a system returns to equilibrium after being disturbed.

When a system is overdamped, it experiences a slow response, gradually returning to its equilibrium state without oscillating. This is characterized by having too much resistance or friction within the system, which prevents it from responding rapidly to changes. While this can provide stability, it means that the system will take longer to settle after a disturbance, making it less responsive.

In contrast, a critically damped system returns to equilibrium as quickly as possible without oscillating, representing an optimal level of damping. An under-damped system, however, reacts quickly but with oscillations around the equilibrium point, leading to a potentially unstable response. The term "stable" relates more to the overall behavior of the system being consistently able to return to equilibrium rather than the speed of its response after disturbances.

Thus, identifying a system that reacts too slowly aligns with the definition of being overdamped, as it specifically highlights the longer adjustment period following disturbances.