At the time of national LockDown due to increasing global threat of Covid-19, here is an interesting article on ‘Resonance’, which is a phenomenon, usually studied in physics, in which the vibrations of any vibrating body can be intensified if it is supplied with an external driving force which is in phase with it and which has the same frequency as the natural frequency of that body. Interesting, and a must-read article.

By Prof. Sanjay Jain

Resonance is a phenomenon, usually studied in physics, in which the vibrations of any vibrating body can be intensified if it is supplied with an external driving force which is in phase with it and which has the same frequency as the natural frequency of that body. If the frequencies and phases mismatch then anti-resonance occurs leading to a reduction in vibrations.

The concept of resonance is not limited to physics alone but has a much wider scope. Resonance connotes rhythm, concord, synergy and coherence. It implies optimization of output through in-step, in-phase and in-sync actions whereas anti-resonance implies reduction in output due to actions that are out of phase with each other.    

There are several examples of resonance around us. The most familiar one is that of a garden swing in which vibrations are maintained periodically by jerking the ground at regular intervals of time. When a string of a musical instrument like a guitar is plucked the vibrations are transmitted into the hollow wooden body of the guitar and set the air inside into oscillations. As the air vibrates in resonance with the string, the sound gets amplified. Light is also produced by resonance on an atomic scale (electronic vibrations).

Sometimes the furniture in a room starts vibrating or glass gets shattered when exposed to music of the right pitch. This happens due to resonance as the frequency of the sound of the music matches with the natural frequency of furniture or glass (even stationary items have their own natural frequency).

The soldier groups are usually asked to break their steps while crossing the bridge because matching of the frequency of their rhythmic, synchronized march with the natural frequency of the bridge may cause the bridge to collapse.

Resonance is believed to be the reason behind the dramatic collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in USA, which was opened to traffic on July 1, 1940 and collapsed on November 7 the same year. Matching of the frequency of the high-speed winds with the natural frequency of the bridge is believed to have triggered the collapse.

Resonance finds applications in several manmade devices. Devices like radio and TV use electrical resonance for transmitting and receiving communications. When we turn the tuning knob of the radio, we basically adjust the frequency of the receiver to match the transmission frequency of the radio station which we want to listen.

Quick heating of food in a microwave oven and amplification of light in lasers is also achieved through resonance. In MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) the phenomenon of nuclear magnetic resonance is used. Anti-resonance is also used in many applications. For example, anti-resonant dampers are used in earthquake-resistant buildings to reduce vibrations.  

We experience instances of resonance and anti-resonance in all walks of life. We get along well (resonate) with people whose ‘frequencies’ match with us. For example, a teacher resonating with a student results in the optimum transfer of knowledge. A cricketer’s ‘mistimed’ shot is an example of anti-resonance whereas, a cricketer who plays well after a hesitant start is said to have found his ‘rhythm’ (resonance).

People who live out of phase or out of tune with their inner selves often experience frustration and depression (anti-resonance). On the other hand those who live in complete alignment with their inner selves experience reinforcement and substantiation of peace, success and happiness (resonance).

Such people usually convert their hobbies into their professions and hardly ever complain about their struggles as they enjoy the struggles also. In this perspective that we are all ‘born to win’ just means we are all born to ‘live in resonance’ with ourselves.

Image courtesy - Wikipedia

(Author Dr. Sanjay D. Jain is Professor and Head, Deptt of Applied Physics, Priyadarshini Institute of Engineering and Technology, Nagpur; Engaged in physics education and research since last 33 years; Several books, research papers, and articles published; Book on Engineering Physics is used as a reference book in BITS, Pilani, Anna University and JNTU. sanjayjainpkc@gmail.com)

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