What is meant by natural vibration?

Natural vibration refers to the inherent oscillation or movement that an object or system exhibits when it is disturbed from its equilibrium position and then released. It occurs without any external influence or ongoing driving force. Every physical object or system has its own natural or resonant frequency at which it tends to vibrate.

When an object is displaced from its equilibrium position and then released, it undergoes repetitive back-and-forth motion around that position. This motion is characterized by a specific frequency, known as the natural frequency or resonant frequency of the object. The natural frequency is determined by various factors, such as the object's mass, stiffness, and geometry.

For example, consider a simple pendulum consisting of a mass attached to a string or rod. When the mass is displaced to one side and then released, it swings back and forth, oscillating with a certain frequency. This frequency is the natural frequency of the pendulum and depends on the length of the string, the mass of the object, and the acceleration due to gravity.

Natural vibrations are important in various fields, including physics, engineering, and music. Understanding the natural frequencies of structures is crucial in designing buildings, bridges, and other mechanical systems to avoid resonance and potential structural failure. In music, natural vibrations of musical instruments determine their characteristic sounds and pitch.