Question

Name the phenomenon that causes a loud sound when the stem of a vibrating tuning fork is kept pressed on the surface of a table.

Answer 1

When the stem of a vibrating fork is pressed against the table top, the tuning fork forces the table top to vibrate with its own frequency. These forced vibrations send forth a greater energy and produce large sound. Now, if the natural frequency of the table is equal to that of the vibrating fork, resonance occurs and a louder sound is heard.