Damping And ResonanceDamping And Resonance

DampingDamping

In any real oscillating system, the amplitude of the oscillations decreases in time until eventually stopping altogether

Effect is called dampingGenerally due to air resistance or internal

frictionEnergy dissipated to thermal energy over

time

Effects of DampingEffects of Damping

Damping does alter the frequency slightly, but not enough to matter in SHM equations

ResonanceResonance

Every vibrating system has its own natural frequency

If you try to vibrate the system at other than its natural frequency, it will bounce around but never reach any great amplitude

For example, if you push on a swing at random frequency

If you push on the object at the same frequency as its natural frequency, the amplitude will increase dramatically

This effect is called resonanceThe natural vibrating frequency of an

object is its resonant frequency

Breaking GlassBreaking Glass

Music note played at same frequency as the natural vibrating frequency of a crystal glass will cause a forced vibration of the crystal

If resulting vibration is great enough in amplitude that it exceeds the glass’s elastic limit, the glass shatters