Explore the Spring-Damper Vibration & Resonance
Pull a mass on a spring and damper, compare damping types and shake the base to find resonance. Free, no signup, runs in your browser.
- Free to use
- No signup
- Nothing to install
- Runs in your browser
Illustration. Open the tool for the real thing.
See it in action
The Spring-Damper Vibration & Resonance with sample data entered and the result showing.
What is the Spring-Damper Vibration & Resonance?
Pull a mass on a spring and damper, compare damping types and shake the base to find resonance. It runs in your browser, so a change to a setting or a drag on an object shows up at once.
Car suspensions, building earthquake dampers, door closers and bridge design all use spring-damper systems.
3 steps to your result
Open the tool and follow along. Nothing to install.
What you get
Damping removes energy from the oscillation.
Under-damped systems overshoot; critically damped return fastest.
Natural frequency = ½π √(k/m).
Increase damping until the oscillation stops.
Turn on base shaking at the natural frequency.
Try a heavier mass and see the frequency drop.
Used for
Pick one to see how it fits.
Engineering learners
Engineering and technology students, makers, robotics clubs and teachers of design and technology.
Try it freeTeachers
For teachers: project the Spring-Damper Vibration & Resonance on the board, let students predict the result, then run it together and test this: Turn on base shaking at the natural frequency. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Try it freeHow it compares
A plain look at this tool next to the usual alternative.
| This simulation | Textbook diagram | |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive | Drag, tap and change settings | Fixed picture |
| Install | Nothing to install | Not needed |
| Cost | Free to use | Depends on the book |
Questions people ask
What is critical damping?
The smallest damping that stops the system from oscillating; it returns to rest fastest.
What is resonance?
A large response that happens when the driving frequency matches the natural frequency.
Is the Spring-Damper Vibration & Resonance free to use?
Yes. The Spring-Damper Vibration & Resonance is free, needs no signup or download and runs in your web browser. It is part of the Engineering group of AZRS simulations.
Does the Spring-Damper Vibration & Resonance work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The Spring-Damper Vibration & Resonance takes touch input as well as mouse input, so you can use its 5 adjustable settings with a finger. A larger screen makes the controls and graphs easier to read.
How do I use the Spring-Damper Vibration & Resonance?
1. In the Spring-Damper Vibration & Resonance, use the controls to change Spring stiffness k, Damping c, Mass, Base shaking, Shake frequency. The simulation reacts instantly. 2. In the Spring-Damper Vibration & Resonance, pick an option such as Off, On to switch modes or load an example. 3. In the Spring-Damper Vibration & Resonance, press "Reset", "Set critical damping" to start, reset or change what is happening. 4. Start with this experiment: Increase damping until the oscillation stops. Drag any glowing handle, object or slider with your mouse or finger and the Spring-Damper Vibration & Resonance responds in real time. 5. Change one setting at a time and watch which readout moves, then compare it with this idea: Damping removes energy from the oscillation.
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Try the Spring-Damper Vibration & Resonance now
Pull a mass on a spring and damper, compare damping types and shake the base to find. Free to use.
Try it free