Acoustic Resonance

Amplification of vibration occurring when a sounding body is driven at one of its natural frequencies.

Core Principles & Analysis

• A vibrating system responds with maximum amplitude when driven at its natural frequency.
• Hollow instrument bodies such as the violin's amplify string vibrations through wood and air-cavity resonances.
• Helmholtz resonance describes air oscillating in a cavity, the effect heard when blowing across a bottle.