Explore the Resonance Lab: Driven Oscillators
Shake five springs and masses at different frequencies and see the one whose natural frequency matches swing wildly. Free, no signup, runs in your browser.
- Free to use
- No signup
- Nothing to install
- Runs in your browser
Illustration. Open the tool for the real thing.
See it in action
The Resonance Lab: Driven Oscillators with sample data entered and the result showing.
What is the Resonance Lab: Driven Oscillators?
Shake five springs and masses at different frequencies and see the one whose natural frequency matches swing wildly. It runs in your browser, so a change to a setting or a drag on an object shows up at once.
Bridges, buildings, musical instruments, radio tuners, MRI machines and swings all depend on resonance, sometimes to be used and sometimes to be avoided.
3 steps to your result
Open the tool and follow along. Nothing to install.
What you get
Every oscillator has a natural frequency at which it likes to swing.
Driving it near that frequency makes the swings grow large. This is resonance.
More damping lowers and widens the resonance peak.
Choose the middle preset and find which mass swings the most.
Slowly drag the shaking frequency across the graph and watch the masses take turns.
Raise the damping and see the peaks flatten.
Used for
Pick one to see how it fits.
Physics learners
Physics students in middle school, high school and first-year university, teachers who want a quick demonstration for the projector, and anyone revising for exams.
Try it freeTeachers
For teachers: project the Resonance Lab: Driven Oscillators on the board, let students predict the result, then run it together and test this: Slowly drag the shaking frequency across the graph and watch the masses take turns. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Try it freeHow it compares
A plain look at this tool next to the usual alternative.
| This simulation | Textbook diagram | |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive | Drag, tap and change settings | Fixed picture |
| Install | Nothing to install | Not needed |
| Cost | Free to use | Depends on the book |
Questions people ask
What is resonance?
Resonance happens when something is pushed at its natural frequency, so each push adds to the motion and the amplitude grows.
Why does damping matter?
Damping removes energy every swing. With heavy damping the resonance peak is smaller and flatter, which is why cars have shock absorbers.
Is the Resonance Lab: Driven Oscillators free to use?
Yes. The Resonance Lab: Driven Oscillators is free, needs no signup or download and runs in your web browser. It is part of the Physics group of AZRS simulations.
Does the Resonance Lab: Driven Oscillators work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The Resonance Lab: Driven Oscillators takes touch input as well as mouse input, so you can use its 3 adjustable settings with a finger. A larger screen makes the controls and graphs easier to read.
How do I use the Resonance Lab: Driven Oscillators?
1. In the Resonance Lab: Driven Oscillators, use the controls to change Shaking frequency, Shaking amplitude, Damping. The simulation reacts instantly. 2. In the Resonance Lab: Driven Oscillators, pick an option such as Low tone, Middle, High tone to switch modes or load an example. 3. In the Resonance Lab: Driven Oscillators, press "Stop the masses" to start, reset or change what is happening. 4. Start with this experiment: Choose the middle preset and find which mass swings the most. Drag any glowing handle, object or slider with your mouse or finger and the Resonance Lab: Driven Oscillators responds in real time. 5. Change one setting at a time and watch which readout moves, then compare it with this idea: Every oscillator has a natural frequency at which it likes to swing.
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Try the Resonance Lab: Driven Oscillators now
Shake five springs and masses at different frequencies and see the one whose natural. Free to use.
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