Definition of Acoustic resonance
Acoustic resonance is a phenomenon in which an acoustic system responds strongly to sound waves whose frequency matches one of its own natural frequencies of vibration (its resonance frequencies).
The term "acoustic resonance" is sometimes used to narrow mechanical resonance to the frequency range of human hearing, but since acoustics is defined in general terms concerning vibrational waves in matter, acoustic resonance can occur at frequencies outside the range of human hearing.
An acoustically resonant object usually has more than one resonance frequency, especially at harmonics of the strongest resonance. It will easily vibrate at those frequencies, and vibrate less strongly at other frequencies. It will "pick out" its resonance frequency from a complex excitation, such as an impulse or a wideband noise excitation. In effect, it is filtering out all frequencies other than its resonance.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Acoustic resonance?
Acoustic resonance is a phenomenon in which an acoustic system responds strongly to sound waves whose frequency matches one of its own natural frequencies of vibration (its resonance frequencies).