Resonance frequency and Natural frequency?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the concepts of resonance frequency and natural frequency, exploring their definitions, differences, and implications in oscillatory systems. Participants examine how these frequencies relate to the behavior of a resonator, particularly in the context of an empty bottle as an example.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that a bottle resonating at 320 Hz will vibrate at that frequency, while questioning whether it would also vibrate at 318 Hz if it resonates at that frequency but not as strongly.
  • One participant references a source indicating that an oscillator will vibrate at the driving frequency, regardless of whether it is at the resonant frequency.
  • Another participant clarifies that a simple harmonic oscillator resonates at its natural frequency and notes that resonance is not limited to simple harmonic oscillators.
  • Some participants express a preference for the term "natural frequency" over "resonance frequency," arguing that natural frequency is defined independently of forced oscillations.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential confusion between the terms "resonance frequency" and "natural frequency," with some suggesting that the latter is more precise.
  • One participant discusses the behavior of ideal versus real resonators, noting that real resonators respond to a range of frequencies and exhibit a resonance response characterized by a curve of frequency against amplitude.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the usefulness and clarity of the terms "resonance frequency" and "natural frequency." There is no consensus on the definitions or implications of these terms, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding their distinctions.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the limitations in understanding the relationship between forced and free oscillations, as well as the potential for confusion in terminology. The discussion also touches on the complexities of real resonators and their behavior compared to idealized models.

tksxkdhkd11
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Resonance frequency and Natural frequency??

Say there is an empty bottle of coke., and you know for sure that
the bottle resonates most at 320hz.
when the bottle resonates, the bottle will vibrate.
the question is,
1.if the bottle also resoates at 318hz( bu not most), will the bottle vibrate 318 times per second or 320times per second.?

2.What is the difference between resonance frequency and resonance frequency?? Aren't they basically the same??
 
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tksxkdhkd11 said:
Say there is an empty bottle of coke., and you know for sure that the bottle resonates most at 320hz.
when the bottle resonates, the bottle will vibrate.
the question is,
1.if the bottle also resonates at 318hz( but not most), will the bottle vibrate 318 times per second or 320times per second.?
As I read it from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonic_oscillator#Sinusoidal_driving_force, it will resonate at the driving frequency.
2.What is the difference between resonance frequency and resonance frequency?? Aren't they basically the same??
I assume that's not what you meant to ask.
 


Welcome to PF;
A simple harmonic oscillator resonates at the natural frequency of the undamped form of the oscillator.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonic_oscillator#Driven_harmonic_oscillators

However, the phenomenon of resonance is not restricted to simple harmonic oscillators.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resonance

To your questions:
if you drive an oscillator - it will vibrate at the driving frequency.
if the driving frequency is not the resonant frequency, then the amplitude of the oscillations will be lower.
(See first link above "sinusoidal driving force".) The exact details depend on how the oscillator is driven.

Some systems will have more than one resonant frequency - i.e. a length of string can resonate in a series of modes though only the fundamental would be thought of as the "natural" frequency of the string.
 
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I don't find the term 'resonance frequency' very helpful. I prefer 'natural frequency'; it is the frequency of the body's free oscillations, so it is defined independently of forced oscillations. The phenomenon of resonance is that forced oscillations have maximum amplitude when the applied forcing frequency is at (or very near) the body's natural frequency. When the body has more than one natural frequency, I'd expect peaks of amplitude when the forcing frequency is equal to any of these frequencies.
 


I don't find the term 'resonance frequency' very helpful
because you tend to confuse the phenomenon, "resonance" with the property "resonant"? I can see where thet would be a pain. Unfortunately,
the body's natural frequency
... has been goniffed by the pseudoscience, alt-medicine, crystal healing, etc. crowd. I live on an island retreat for such people so I cannot use that term without trouble ;)
 


My unease about "resonance frequency" is that students who use the term know that this is the frequency of applied force at which a body's oscillations have maximum amplitude, but they don't always know that this frequency is that of the body's free (unforced) oscillations (or close to it).
 


An ideal resonator will just not respond to any other than its natural frequency of oscillation. If you excite it with an impulse, then it will oscillate at its natural frequency. A real resonator always has losses (it's an RLC circuit and not just an LC circuit equivalent). It has a resonance response to other frequencies - a narrow or wide bell shaped curve of frequency against amplitude of oscillation. The width of the curve depends upon the Q Factor (1/Q, actually). If you excite it at a frequency near its natural frequency it will not suddenly change frequency but oscillations will carry on at the excitation frequency and the amplitude will decay. (A real resonator will oscillate at its natural frequency when given an impulse.)
 

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