Natural Frequency

An object's natural frequency is the frequency or rate that it vibrates naturally when disturbed. Objects can possess more than one natural frequency and we typically use harmonic oscillators as a tool for modeling the natural frequency of a particular object.

We can apply an unnatural or forced frequency to an object that equals the natural frequency of an object. In cases such as this, we are in effect creating resonance, i.e., oscillations at the object’s natural frequency. If this occurs in certain structures, the oscillations will continue to increase in magnitude, thus resulting in structural failure.

When a system’s oscillations are equivalent to its natural frequency, it forms motion patterns. We call these certain characteristic frequencies an object’s normal mode. Moreover, natural frequency consists of various primary factors and they are as follows:

●We call the frequency in which an object naturally vibrates, its natural frequency.
●We can utilize harmonic oscillators as tools to model an object’s natural frequency.
●Natural frequencies are those that occur naturally when we disturb an object in a physical manner, whereas objects that vibrate in accordance with the application of a particular rate are called forced frequencies.
●If we apply a forced frequency that is equivalent to an object’s natural frequency, the object will encounter resonance.