Resonance

Resonance Screenshot
  • Resonance
  • Harmonic Motion
  • Oscillator

Topics

  • Resonance
  • Harmonic Motion
  • Oscillator

Description

For advanced undergraduate students: Observe resonance in a collection of driven, damped harmonic oscillators. Vary the driving frequency and amplitude, the damping constant, and the mass and spring constant of each resonator. Notice the long-lived transients when damping is small, and observe the phase change for resonators above and below resonance.

Sample Learning Goals

  • Explain the conditions required for resonance.
  • Identify/explain the variables that affect the natural frequency of a mass-spring system.
  • Explain the distinction between the driving frequency and natural frequency of a resonator.
  • Explain the distinction between transient and steady-state behavior in a driven system.
  • Identify which variables affect the duration of the transient behavior.
  • Recognize the phase relationship between the driving frequency and the natural frequency, especially how the phase is different above and below resonance.
  • Give examples the application of real-world systems to which the understanding of resonance should be applied and explain why.
Version 1.01

Teacher Tips

Download teacher tips PDF Overview of sim controls, model simplifications, and insights into student thinking ( PDF ).

Teacher-Submitted Activities

Concept questions for Physics using PhET (Inquiry Based) A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. This contribution was designed by PhET. Trish Loeblein UG-Intro
HS
MC Physics
Algebra-based Physics Semester one lessons, clicker questions, and schedule in pdf (Inquiry Based) A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. This contribution was designed by PhET. Trish Loeblein UG-Intro
HS
Lab
HW
Demo
Physics
Wave unit (Inquiry Based) A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. This contribution was designed by PhET. Trish Loeblein HS
UG-Intro
Lab
Demo
Physics
Wave clicker questions (Inquiry Based) A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. This contribution was designed by PhET. Trish Loeblein UG-Intro
HS
CQs Physics
Resonance-Introduction to Natural Frequency A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. This contribution was designed by PhET. Trish Loeblein, Mike Dubson UG-Intro
HS
HW
CQs
Lab
Physics
Mathematics
Resonance: Upper-division college A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. This contribution was designed by PhET. Mike Dubson, Trish Loeblein UG-Adv CQs
How do PhET simulations fit in my middle school program? This contribution was designed by PhET. Sarah Borenstein MS Other Biology
Chemistry
Earth Science
Physics
Mapping of PhET and IBDP Physics Jaya Ramchandani HS Other Physics
MS and HS TEK to Sim Alignment Elyse Zimmer MS
HS
Other Biology
Physics
Chemistry
Activity sheet_Resonance Rabin Rabe UG-Intro Guided Physics
Waves and sound(in dutch golven en trillingen) Corné de Boer HS Demo
Moteur en PhET Bernard Lacour Other Lab Physics

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Design Team Third-party Libraries Thanks To
  • Michael Dubson (lead design, lead developer)
  • Patricia Loeblein (design)
  • Jonathan Olson (developer)
  • Kathy Perkins (design)
  • Mindy Gratny (interviews)