Flash sims are no longer supported in modern browsers.
Learn more
Donate to help us continue converting sims to HTML5!
Resonance
|
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
![]() |
Overview of sim controls, model simplifications, and insights into student thinking ( PDF ). |
Teacher-Submitted Activities
Concept questions for Physics using PhET (Inquiry Based) |
![]() |
![]() |
Trish Loeblein | HS UG-Intro |
MC | Physics |
Algebra-based Physics Semester one lessons, clicker questions, and schedule in pdf (Inquiry Based) |
![]() |
![]() |
Trish Loeblein | HS UG-Intro |
HW Lab Demo |
Physics |
Wave unit (Inquiry Based) |
![]() |
![]() |
Trish Loeblein | UG-Intro HS |
Demo Lab |
Physics |
Wave clicker questions (Inquiry Based) |
![]() |
![]() |
Trish Loeblein | UG-Intro HS |
CQs | Physics |
Resonance-Introduction to Natural Frequency |
![]() |
![]() |
Trish Loeblein, Mike Dubson | UG-Intro HS |
CQs HW Lab |
Physics Mathematics |
Resonance: Upper-division college |
![]() |
![]() |
Mike Dubson, Trish Loeblein | UG-Adv | CQs | |
How do PhET simulations fit in my middle school program? |
![]() |
Sarah Borenstein | MS | Other | Physics Biology Earth Science Chemistry |
|
Driven Oscillation | Ferdinand Bautista and Sarah O. Evangelista | UG-Intro HS |
Guided | Physics | ||
MS and HS TEK to Sim Alignment | Elyse Zimmer | MS HS |
Other | Biology Chemistry Physics |
||
In/Post-Class Activity, Resonance, Spring, PhET | Solmaz Khodaeifaal | HS MS |
Lab Guided HW Demo Discuss |
Physics | ||
Mapping of PhET and IBDP Physics | Jaya Ramchandani | HS | Other | Physics | ||
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 |
Windows | Macintosh | Linux |
---|---|---|
Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7/8.1/10 Macromedia Flash 9 or later
|
OS X 10.9.5 or later Macromedia Flash 9 or later
|
Macromedia Flash 9 or later
|
Design Team | Third-party Libraries | Thanks To |
---|---|---|
|