natural frequency
Quick Summary
In physics, the natural frequency of an object is the frequency at which it will vibrate when disturbed from its equilibrium position. This frequency is determined by the object's physical properties, such as its mass and stiffness.1
For example, a mass attached to springs will oscillate at a specific frequency when displaced. This frequency, known as the natural frequency, depends on the mass (m) and the spring constant (k), according to the formula:
[ \omega = \sqrt{\frac{k}{m}} ]
This natural frequency is crucial in understanding phenomena like simple harmonic motion, where oscillations occur without damping. Real-world oscillators, however, are subject to damping forces like friction, which cause the oscillations to decrease in amplitude over time. The concept of natural frequency is also fundamental to understanding resonance, where external forces applied at an object's natural frequency can cause large amplitude vibrations.2
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