Physics

Everything has a favorite frequency

A few well-timed pushes build a giant swing because each one lands the instant the swing reverses, adding its energy onto the last push instead of fighting it, matching the swing's own rhythm. The same match, held at a specific wine glass's own measured pitch, 505 cycles per second, shakes it apart on film.

Sources & further reading

HyperPhysics, Georgia State UniversityResonanceA university physics reference defining resonance and the playground-swing example.National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), National Institutes of HealthMagnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)A U.S. government explainer of how MRI uses magnetic and radio fields to image the body without surgery.MRI Questions and Answers (mri-q.com)Who was Larmor?An MRI physics explainer on how hydrogen's resonant frequency shifts with magnet strength.WikipediaSynchronous lateral excitationThe account of London's Millennium Bridge closing after pedestrian footsteps matched its natural sway.Practical EngineeringWhy the Tacoma Narrows Bridge CollapsedAn engineering explainer correcting the common myth that Tacoma Narrows collapsed from simple wind resonance.Jauch QuartzTuning fork crystal frequency: 32.768 kHzAn industry explainer on why quartz watches use a 32,768 Hz tuning-fork crystal.How Everything Works (Louis Bloomfield)Question 1239: How does a microwave oven work?A physics professor's explainer on why microwave ovens deliberately avoid water's own resonant frequency.PetaPixelWatch Sound Waves Shatter a Wine Glass at 187,000 Frames Per SecondThe filmed demonstration of a loudspeaker shattering a wine glass at its own resonant pitch.