Natural Frequency

Every system has a favourite rhythm

An interactive lesson with 6 steps, about 5 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• Every oscillating system has a natural frequency.
• Driving it at that frequency adds energy on every cycle.
• This build-up is called resonance.

Steps

1. Free oscillation
2. Pushing a swing
3. Build it up
4. A playground swing
5. A heavier bob
6. Every other swing