What is resonant frequency, and how do things like bridges collapse because of it?
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Resonant frequency is something that happens when two waves collide. If the distance between the peaks of their amplitude (the frequency) is the same, then when they overlap the amplitudes are added together.
Since bridges are fixed at both ends a wave that hits the end of the bridge orginating from a point on the bridge will bounce back. If the frequency of the pulse that is making the wave is such that the waves reflecting back on the bridge is in sync with the waves geberated by the pulse then you have resonant frequency. The total amplitude will continue to increase until the stress limit of the structure is exceeded and it fails.
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