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_
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