#

# Video Index for Lecture 31

Lecture 31 - Recorded on November 29, 1999

## Forced Oscillations and Resonance

Video Lectures: (RM-80K) (RM-300K)

Systems consisting of pendulums and springs can freely oscillate at their natural frequencies (also called normal modes). When we expose a system to a wide spectrum of frequencies, the response will be very large at the normal mode frequencies (resonances) of that system. Examples include musical instruments (standing waves on violin strings and pressure waves in wind instruments), and torsional standing waves on a bridge driven by strong winds.

Lectures.
SEG # | SEGMENT TITLES | SEGMENT TOPICS | STARTS AT (MIN:SEC)
--- | --- | --- | ---
1 | Forced Oscillations | When applying an external sinusoidal force (a driving force), to a spring system, there will be a transient response in addition to a steady state response. When the transient response has died (due to friction), the steady state remains. Resonance responses are described. | 00:00
2 | Resonances and Normal Modes | Systems of coupled oscillators with multiple resonant frequencies are described, including a violin string. Normal modes of an oscillating string occur at integral multiples (harmonics) of the fundamental; these natural frequencies are determined by the length, the tension, and the mass per unit length of the string. | 11:38
3 | Resonance in Wind Instruments | Air pressure waves in boxes, cavities, and hollow tubes exhibit a series of resonances determined by the velocity of sound in air and the dimensions of the systems. The frequency of these resonances can be altered by holes or pistons to change their effective size. Professor Lewin demonstrates this with a wooden flute and he plays Jingle Bells on a wooden trombone. | 23:13
4 | Nonlinear Response at Resonance | Excitation with a spectrum of frequencies often reveals some resonant frequencies as the object responds most strongly to those frequencies. Resonance can be destructive if the driving force is strong enough, as dramatically shown with a wine glass driven by strong sound waves, and the Tacoma Narrows bridge driven by the wind. Information about the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse Tacoma Narrows Bridge Oscillation Mark Ketchum's Bridge Collapse Page | 31:32
5 | Speed of Sound in a Resonant Cavity | Each person's distinctive voice is produced in a manner similar to the way sounds are produced by wind instruments. If these instruments were filled with helium instead of air, the frequencies of the sound would be very different as the speed of sound in helium is substantially larger than that in air. Professor Lewin inhales helium to demonstrate this. His familiar voice cannot be recognized anymore. | 45:10