Abstract

Most physicists will agree that the concept of resonance is fundamental to the description and the understanding of a wide variety of natural phenomena. Moreover, resonance has been used by mankind to realize an ever-increasing number of machines and systems, from simple musical instruments to magnetic-resonance scanners. In optics, resonance is everywhere, exploited in most wave sources and in many detectors. Despite its importance, few people who visit the science museums know what resonance is, and few realize that a low-power driving force can transfer a surprisingly large amount of energy to an oscillating system. Our exhibit will allow the visitor to experience a resonant oscillator by sitting in a cart attached to stretched springs. The visitor will try to reach large oscillation amplitudes using the obviously very low power of an air jet. In this way he or she learns that in a system without much damping, the frequency and timing (phase) of the driving force are more important than its power. Other parts of the exhibit will reinforce and complete this knowledge by presenting resonance at work in both familiar and unusual situations.

© 1990 Optical Society of America