You drive an oscillating object far above its natural frequency. What happens to the amplitude?
AIt grows larger with every push
BIt stays at its maximum value
CIt becomes smaller and nearly stops
DIt matches the driving amplitude
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. It becomes smaller and nearly stops
1. At the natural frequency, the oscillations build in amplitude with each cycle.
2. As the driving frequency climbs well above that, the amplitude becomes smaller.
3. Eventually the oscillations nearly disappear and the driver moves with little effect.
4. The paddle ball on an elastic band shows all three regimes as the hand speeds up.
_Source: OpenStax Physics (high school, CC BY 4.0), Ch 14 "Sound", section Resonance and Beats_
Keep practising Sound
Browse all Sound questions for KCSE, or explore more Physics topics.
Related questions
Spot the odd oneCatch what sound needsSound words bingoPitch up or pitch down?Faster or slower sound?Two identical sirens sound, one on a parked car and one on a car speeding towards you. WhaA singer's note makes a piano string sound without touching it. What is happening?Why does the speed of sound in a gas change with temperature?