For K-12 Students · Driven Resonance
Driven Resonance for a roller-coaster loop
Built for k-12 students learning it in middle or high school. Watch the idea come alive with plain-language steps and everyday examples — perfect for projects and homework. Simulate a roller-coaster loop live below — adjust the inputs and watch it respond, right in your browser.
Driven ResonanceLive
amplitude near the natural frequency
Controls
Presets
Push a swing at its natural frequency and the amplitude blows up — resonance. Less damping → a taller, sharper peak (higher Q). This is why bridges, buildings, and wine glasses each have a frequency you must avoid.
Data Inspector
Response amplitude8.44e-2
Quality factor Q3.3
At resonance?yes ≈ peak
Governing equation
Reading this result: Driving at the natural frequency f₀, so you sit on the resonance peak; the damping ratio ζ caps the height at a quality factor Q of 3.3.
Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.
More with Driven Resonance
Driven Resonance for a projectile from a cannonDriven Resonance for a bouncing ballDriven Resonance for a pendulum clockDriven Resonance for a car brakingDriven Resonance for a satellite orbitDriven Resonance for a mass on a springDriven Resonance for a skydiver's free fallDriven Resonance for a two-cart collision
Frequently asked questions
- Is this good for k-12 students?
- Yes — this version of "Driven Resonance for a roller-coaster loop" is framed for k-12 students learning it in middle or high school. Watch the idea come alive with plain-language steps and everyday examples — perfect for projects and homework.
- Do I need to install anything?
- No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.