Story Two Physics - Resonance
Systems, depending on their mass and stiffness, will naturally oscillate when excited at their natural frequency. In acoustic resonance, sound waves amplify when the frequency matches the systems’s own natural frequency of vibration (e.g. a guitar string). When designing mechanical systems, engineers must ensure the resonance frequencies of component parts do not match driving vibrational frequencies of motors or other oscillating parts. Otherwise the system can literally shake itself apart.
How the physics is depicted
In the book, each Newtonian represents a system of different stiffness - with stiffness decreasing from left to right in the adjoining image. The driving vibrational frequencies are represented by the tempo of various music. A system response when driven at its natural frequency is represented by the Newtonian’s irresistible urge to dance when exposed to music played at a tempo that resonates with the Newtonian. Stiff systems resonate at high frequencies. More flexible systems resonate at lower frequencies.
More than you wanted to know …
The author is a proud University of Wisconsin alum and the sheet music represented in this story are from the following University of Wisconsin songs: If you Want to be a Badger, Varsity, and On Wisconsin (in order of appearance in the book). UW alumni will also recognize the furniture in this story.