It is the mechanism by which virtually all sinusoidal waves and vibrations are generated. Resonance occurs widely in nature, and is exploited in many devices. This is because the energy the swing absorbs is maximized when the pushes match the swing's natural oscillations. Pushing a person in a swing in time with the natural interval of the swing (its resonant frequency) makes the swing go higher and higher (maximum amplitude), while attempts to push the swing at a faster or slower tempo produce smaller arcs. The loaded swing, a pendulum, has a natural frequency of oscillation, its resonant frequency, and resists being pushed at a faster or slower rate.Ī familiar example is a playground swing, which acts as a pendulum.

Some systems have multiple, distinct, resonant frequencies.Įxamples Pushing a person in a swing is a common example of resonance. When damping is small, the resonant frequency is approximately equal to the natural frequency of the system, which is a frequency of unforced vibrations. However, there are some losses from cycle to cycle, called damping. Resonance occurs when a system is able to store and easily transfer energy between two or more different storage modes (such as kinetic energy and potential energy in the case of a simple pendulum).

The term resonance (from Latin resonantia, 'echo', from resonare, 'resound') originated from the field of acoustics, particularly the sympathetic resonance observed in musical instruments, e.g., when one string starts to vibrate and produce sound after a different one is struck. Resonant systems can be used to generate vibrations of a specific frequency (e.g., musical instruments), or pick out specific frequencies from a complex vibration containing many frequencies (e.g., filters). Resonance phenomena occur with all types of vibrations or waves: there is mechanical resonance, orbital resonance, acoustic resonance, electromagnetic resonance, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electron spin resonance (ESR) and resonance of quantum wave functions. Small periodic forces that are near a resonant frequency of the system have the ability to produce large amplitude oscillations in the system due to the storage of vibrational energy. The resonant frequencies of a system can be identified when the response to an external vibration creates an amplitude that is a relative maximum within the system. When an oscillating force, an external vibration, is applied at a resonant frequency of a dynamic system, object, or particle, the outside vibration will cause the system to oscillate at a higher amplitude (with more force) than when the same force is applied at other, non-resonant frequencies. However, resonance can also be detrimental, leading to excessive vibrations or even structural failure in some cases.Īll systems, including molecular systems and particles, tend to vibrate at a natural frequency depending upon their structure this frequency is known as a resonant frequency or resonance frequency. Resonance can occur in various systems, such as mechanical, electrical, or acoustic systems, and it is often desirable in certain applications, such as musical instruments or radio receivers. When this happens, the object or system absorbs energy from the external force and starts vibrating with a larger amplitude. Resonance is a phenomenon that occurs when an object or system is subjected to an external force or vibration that matches its natural frequency. Increase of amplitude as damping decreases and frequency approaches resonant frequency of a driven damped simple harmonic oscillator. ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)

JSTOR ( January 2021) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message).

Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources.

This article needs additional citations for verification.

Periodic phenomena definition