The Resonance Curve

Amplitude, damping and Q

An interactive lesson with 7 steps, about 6 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• Driven amplitude peaks near the natural frequency.
• Less damping means a taller, narrower peak: higher Q.
• High-Q objects respond strongly only to a narrow range of frequencies.

Steps

1. Sweep the frequency
2. Sharp or broad
3. Shattering glass
4. How tall is the peak?
5. Limit the peak
6. In step or out of step?
7. Three speeds of pushing