Resonance occurs when
- A. the driving frequency equals the natural frequency of the system
- B. the driving frequency is much higher than the natural frequency
- C. the amplitude is very small
- D. there is no damping present at all
Explanation
At resonance energy is transferred most efficiently to the oscillator and the amplitude builds to a large value, limited only by damping. It explains why a radio can be tuned to one station, why a wine glass can be shattered by a sung note, and why marching troops break step on a bridge. Damping reduces the peak amplitude but does not abolish the effect.