When an object is exposed to sound waves with a frequency that matches its fundamental frequency, it vibrates at that frequency due to a phenomenon known as resonance. Resonance occurs when an object naturally oscillates at a certain frequency, and when it is exposed to external forces at that same frequency, it amplifies the vibrations.
Every object has a natural frequency or fundamental frequency at which it tends to vibrate. This frequency is determined by the object's physical properties, such as its size, shape, and composition. When a sound wave with the same frequency as the object's fundamental frequency is introduced, the object starts to vibrate with greater amplitude.
The reason for this amplification of vibrations lies in the transfer of energy from the sound wave to the object. When the sound wave matches the object's fundamental frequency, the oscillations of the object become synchronized with the incoming wave. As a result, the energy of the sound wave is efficiently transferred to the object, causing the vibrations to become more pronounced.
It's important to note that resonance can occur not only at the fundamental frequency but also at the object's harmonics, which are multiples of the fundamental frequency. In these cases, the object vibrates at higher frequencies that are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency.
Resonance is a fundamental concept in physics and plays a crucial role in various phenomena, including musical instruments, acoustic resonators, and structural vibrations. Understanding and controlling resonance is essential in many fields of science and engineering.