mechanical resonance

Mechanical resonance occurs when a system responds with maximum amplitude to an external force that matches its natural vibration frequency. Every object or structure has a natural frequency at which it tends to oscillate if disturbed. When a periodic force is applied at this frequency, small pushes build up over time, causing the object to vibrate more intensely. An everyday example is pushing a swing at just the right moments to make it go higher. While resonance can be useful, it can also cause damage—like a bridge failing under rhythmic forces—making understanding and managing resonance important in engineering and design.