resonant frequency
Natural oscillation rate
Resonant frequency is the natural frequency at which an object or system vibrates most readily when disturbed.
Every physical structure—a wine glass, a bridge, a guitar string—has frequencies at which it will oscillate with maximum amplitude.
When an external force matches this frequency, energy transfers efficiently and vibrations amplify dramatically: The opera singer shattered the glass by hitting its resonant frequency.
Engineers must account for resonant frequencies to prevent structural failure; the Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapse is a famous example of resonance gone wrong.
- overtoneSubsidiary meaning or harmonic
- resonatorFrequency-amplifying device
- pitchFrequency of sound
- tuning forkVibrating standard for pitch
- oscillationRepeated back-and-forth movement
vibration · harmonic motion · bridge collapse · standing wave · piezoelectricity · amplitude · bell · sound · inductance · damping · capacitance · guitar string · opera singer · timbre · node · ringing · wavelength · fundamental
- acousticssound waves, sound wave, sound, soundwave, vibration
- vibrationsvibration, oscillation, mechanical vibrations, tremor, shake
- material dynamicsdamping, elasticity, viscoelasticity, stiffness, creep
- oscillationsvibration, harmonic motion, oscillator, oscillating, amplitude
- resonanceharmonic, fundamental, node, antinode, harmonics
- resonatorsresonator, cavity resonator, echo chamber, soundboard, sound board