Exploring Building Resonance in Earthquakes

What is the natural frequency of a swing?

• The frequency at which it stops moving

• The frequency at which it breaks

• The frequency at which it oscillates with maximum amplitude

• The frequency at which it requires the least energy to maintain motion

What does the period of a wave represent?

• The height of the wave

• The time it takes for one wave cycle to pass a point

• The number of waves passing a point in one second

• The speed of the wave

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

If the frequency of a wave doubles, what happens to its period?

• It halves

• It remains the same

• It quadruples

• It doubles

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

What is the resonant frequency of a one-meter long pendulum?

• One half of a hertz

• Two hertz

• One quarter of a hertz

• One hertz

What factors affect the resonant frequency of a string under tension?

• Temperature, mass, and tension of the string

• Material, length, and color of the string

• Color, material, and length of the string

• Length, mass, and tension of the string

How do short-period, low-amplitude waves affect small boats?

• They cause the boats to capsize

• They have no effect

• They cause the boats to roll

• They cause the boats to sink

What happens when the period of ground motion matches the natural resonance of a building?

• The building remains stable

• The building undergoes the largest oscillations possible

• The building becomes earthquake-proof

• The building's resonance period changes

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-3

During the 1985 Mexico City earthquake, which buildings suffered the most damage?

• All buildings equally

• Short old weak stone buildings

• Skyscrapers

• Medium-height buildings

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

What is a resonance disaster?

• A failure in building design

• A type of earthquake

• Destruction of a building by seismic vibrations at its resonant frequency

• A natural disaster caused by resonance

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-3

In the classroom demonstration, how do you get the short building to oscillate?

• Move the base very slowly

• Move the base up and down

• Move the base very briskly

• Move the base in a circular motion