For this lab, you can run numerical simulations, physical experiments, or both side-by-side. Using Internet Explorer, you may have already viewed the videos of the experiments at various frequencies. In the lab, when "Sine Sweep" input is used in both the simulation and the experiment, the 'ground' starts oscillating at the Inital Frequency. The frequency smoothly increases (or decreases) until the 'ground' is oscillating at the Final Frequency at the end of the simulation or experiment. If you choose a frequency range from about 1 Hz to about 10 Hz or 12 Hz, you will see three regions in the plot in which the response is significantly magnified. This is the resonant effect, and the frequencies in these regions are close to the natural frequencies of the structure.
In either the numerical simulation or the physical experiment window, you may zoom-in on the plot by clicking-and-dragging the mouse over the region of interest. To view the whole plot again, simply click on the 'Fill' button.