How does resonance make a glass shatter or a bridge sway?
Quick Answer
Resonance happens when a force matches an object’s natural frequency and makes its vibrations grow larger. If the energy keeps building, the motion can become damaging.
The Full Story
Every object has natural frequencies at which it prefers to vibrate. When a repeated push matches one of those frequencies, the vibrations reinforce each other and grow stronger. This is resonance, and it can make tuning forks sound louder, help radios select stations, or, in extreme cases, damage structures. The collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in 1940 is a famous example of destructive vibration, though wind-driven oscillation played a major role alongside resonance. Engineers must account for resonance in buildings, bridges, engines, and aircraft.
Key Facts
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"How the right frequency can break things apart"
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