Lesson 07

Resonance

A system responds most strongly when it is driven near its natural rhythm.

Many systems have a natural frequency. When a repeating influence acts near that frequency, energy can build up and produce a much larger response.

Driven oscillatorA mass on a spring with an external driving arrow showing the current drive direction.Driving force
Amplitude0.00
Phase lag0°
Δfreq0.00

Live explanation

What is happening?

The system is near resonance — the response is large.

Controls

Drive the oscillator

2.00
2.00
1.00
0.15

What to notice

  • Response is usually strongest near the natural frequency.
  • Strong damping reduces the resonance peak.
  • The oscillator's phase relative to the driver changes across resonance.
  • Resonance can transfer energy efficiently.

Show the maths

Optional — the intuition already covers the important ideas.

ẍ + 2γẋ + ω₀² x = F cos(ω t)

ω₀ is the natural frequency, ω the driving frequency, γ the damping and F the driving strength.

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