1.

To Understand resonance
2. To be able to qualitatively explain how a
system behaves at resonance and on either
side of resonance in terms of amplitude &
phase
3. To look at some real world examples of
resonance
Simple definition :

Resonance is the tendency of a system to

oscillate with a larger amplitude at some
frequencies than at others.

This particular frequency is called the

resonant frequency & at this point the
system is said to be in resonance
This can be observed in many different types of
oscillating systems :

What do the different

colour lines represent?
Consider a child being pushed on a swing
in a playground.

The pushes are an example of an applied

periodic force and the swing now
experiences forced oscillations.

If timed correctly the pushes take the

swing higher & higher
Effect of Applied Frequency on amplitude :
Applied Frequency Amplitude Phase Difference*

Zero Zero Zero

< resonant frequency Increasing more & Increases from zero

more towards /2 radians

At resonant Amplitude is at a /2 radians

frequency significant
(Applied frequency = maximum
Natural frequency)
> resonant frequency Decreases more & Increases from /2
more towards  radians

* Between the displacement and applied periodic force

At resonance (assuming lightly damped):

Applied Frequency of Periodic Force 

Natural Frequency of the system

The applied periodic Force is exactly in

phase with the velocity of the system

The maximum amplitude is limited only by

the damping in the system (why there are
different colour plots on the earlier graphs)
Increased damping causes the resonant frequency
to fall below the natural frequency
Bridges

Car suspension systems

Natural Frequency :
The frequency at which a system oscillates
without an external periodic force being
applied

Periodic Force

A force with a regularly changing amplitude &

a definite time period
Forced Oscillations:
The oscillations of a system which is exposed
to an external periodic force

Resonance

For a lightly damped system, the amplitude of

the oscillations tend to a maximum when the
frequency of an applied periodic force is the
same as the natural frequency of the system