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Question

What is meant by resonance? Describe a simple experiment to illustrate the phenomenon of resonance and explain it.

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Solution

The definition of Resonance in physics is a phenomenon in which an external force or a vibrating system forces another system around it to vibrate with greater amplitude at a specified frequency of operation. The frequency at which the second body starts oscillating or vibrating at higher amplitude is called the resonant frequency of the body. The best examples of resonance can be observed in various musical instruments around us.

Four pendulums A, B, C and D are suspended from a rubber string PQ- The pendulums A and B are of equal lengths while C is shorter and D is longer. The pendulum A is set into vibration. It is observed that the pendulum B also starts vibrating and ultimately acquires the same amplitude as that of A. The pendulums C and D also vibrate, but with smaller amplitudes. The pendulum B is said to be in resonance with pendulum A.

Explanation: The natural frequency of pendulum B is equal to the frequency of vibration of pendulum A since both are of equal lengths. So the forced vibrations caused in pendulum B are in resonance with vibrations of pendulum A. On the other hand, the natural frequency of pendulum C is higher while of D is smaller than that of pendulum A. So these pendulums vibrate with the frequency of pendulum A with smaller amplitudes due to forced vibrations.


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