What is the Difference Between Natural Frequency and Frequency?

The main difference between natural frequency and frequency lies in the context and the nature of the phenomena they describe:

• Natural Frequency: This is a physics term pertaining to a resonant system, such as a pendulum or a guitar string. Natural frequency, also known as eigenfrequency, is the frequency at which a system tends to oscillate in the absence of any driving force. It is a specific value for a given dynamical system, and when an object is disturbed, it tends to vibrate at its natural frequency.
• Frequency: This term is commonly used to describe how often an event occurs. In the context of oscillations, frequency refers to the rate at which a system vibrates when subjected to a driving force. The frequency of a periodic motion can be obtained using the time difference between two consecutive oscillations.

In summary:

• Natural frequency is the frequency at which a system tends to oscillate when undisturbed.
• Frequency can refer to any rate of occurrence, including forced vibrations and oscillations.

Resonant frequency is a related concept, which occurs when the frequency of an external driving force matches the natural frequency of the system. In this case, the oscillations' amplitude increases manyfold, a phenomenon known as resonance.

Comparative Table: Natural Frequency vs Frequency

The difference between natural frequency and frequency can be understood through their definitions and characteristics:

In summary, natural frequency is an inherent property of an object, while frequency is a general term that refers to the rate at which an event occurs. Natural frequency is specific to the physical properties of an object, whereas frequency can be influenced by various factors.