Mechanical Resonance and Natural Frequency at the Atomic/Lattice Level

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on the concept of mechanical resonance in complex systems, specifically exploring how resonance can be explained at the atomic level. Participants are interested in the relationship between macroscopic oscillations of structures, such as bridges, and the behavior of molecules within those materials during resonance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how resonance in a complex system like a bridge can be explained at the atomic level, specifically what occurs at the molecular level during oscillation and its connection to molecular oscillation frequencies.
  • Another participant asserts that the mechanical resonance frequencies of macroscopic objects are influenced by the elastic properties of the materials, emphasizing the role of interatomic forces in enabling elastic deformations.
  • A repeated question from the first post reiterates the inquiry about the atomic-level explanation of resonance in complex systems.
  • A later reply expresses gratitude for the contributions, indicating that the responses are aligned with the original inquiry.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants have not reached a consensus, as the discussion includes multiple viewpoints on the relationship between macroscopic resonance and atomic behavior, with some points reiterated and others introduced without resolution.

Contextual Notes

The discussion may be limited by assumptions regarding the definitions of resonance and elastic properties, as well as the complexity of interatomic forces, which remain unresolved.

Alr
Messages
9
Reaction score
3
How do we explain resonance of a complex system (say a bridge) at the atomic level? What's happening to its molecules when it's oscillating at resonance, and does that have anything to do with the frequency at which the molecules oscillate in the material?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Mechanical resonance frequencies of complex macroscopic objects depend on the elastic properties of the constituting materials. At the end, it’s the „springlike interatomic forces“ which allow macroscopic elastic deformations at all.
 
Alr said:
How do we explain resonance of a complex system (say a bridge) at the atomic level? What's happening to its molecules when it's oscillating at resonance, and does that have anything to do with the frequency at which the molecules oscillate in the material?
http://web.mit.edu/course/3/3.11/www/modules/elas_2.pdf

1588355307349.png
 
Thank you both. That's exactly what I'm looking for.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Lord Jestocost and berkeman

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
5K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K