Final answer:
Resonance is the efficient energy transfer and increased oscillation amplitude that occurs when a system is driven at its natural frequency. Less damping increases amplitude at resonance, while more damping broadens the frequency response. Real-world resonance is seen in musical instruments, like piano strings that vibrate in response to a matching sung note.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is Resonance?
Resonance is a phenomenon that occurs when a periodic force drives a system, such as a harmonic oscillator, at its natural frequency. When this happens, the system resonates, meaning the energy is transferred more efficiently into it, causing the amplitude of its oscillations to increase. In the absence of driving or damping forces, an object will oscillate at its natural frequency. The amount of damping in the system affects the resonance behavior; less damping results in higher amplitudes at resonance, while more damping broadens the system's response to different driving frequencies.
Real-world examples of resonance include the vibrations of strings, the sound amplification in air columns, and the behavior of atoms. A common example is the use of resonance to create distorted sounds in rock music, where the amplitude of the oscillations increases to a level where the sound waves can no longer be accurately described by Hooke's law.
Resonance in Everyday Systems
An example of resonance can be observed with a piano. Singing a loud note while pressing down on the sustain pedal will cause the piano strings that match the frequency of your voice to resonate. This illustrates how objects oscillate best at their natural frequency even when they are being forced by another frequency.