Natural Frequency: Every Object Has Its Own Rhythm

Every object has a natural frequency, the rate at which it prefers to vibrate when disturbed.
Strike a tuning fork, and it rings at its natural frequency, producing a clear tone.
The natural frequency depends on an object’s size, shape, and material.
Smaller, stiffer objects usually vibrate faster, giving higher frequencies.
Larger, heavier objects vibrate more slowly, producing lower frequencies.
If an external force matches this frequency, the object can resonate and vibrate strongly.
Bridges, glasses, and even buildings all have natural frequencies engineers must consider.
Musical instruments are designed to emphasize certain natural frequencies for rich sound.
A child’s swing has a natural rhythm, set by its length, that matches the swing’s period.
From tuning forks to skyscrapers, natural frequency is the hidden rhythm of the physical world.