In 1940, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge across the Puget Sound collapsed. The bridge was a suspension bridge. The wind blowing through the narrows matched the natural frequency of the bridge. This resulted in a large movement of roadway, which eventually caused the bridge to fail. What characteristic of waves caused the bridge to collapse?

absorption, because the bridge absorbed all the energy of the wind

diffraction, because the wind moved around the bridge, which set the bridge into motion

interference, because constructive interference occurred when the wind frequency matched the natural frequency of the bridge

interference, because destructive interference occurred when the wind frequency matched the natural frequency of the bridge

Question

Physics

Andres Grant

15 February, 23:54

In 1940, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge across the Puget Sound collapsed. The bridge was a suspension bridge. The wind blowing through the narrows matched the natural frequency of the bridge. This resulted in a large movement of roadway, which eventually caused the bridge to fail. What characteristic of waves caused the bridge to collapse?

absorption, because the bridge absorbed all the energy of the wind

diffraction, because the wind moved around the bridge, which set the bridge into motion

interference, because constructive interference occurred when the wind frequency matched the natural frequency of the bridge

interference, because destructive interference occurred when the wind frequency matched the natural frequency of the bridge

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Answers (1)

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Audrina Perkins · Answer 1

interference, because constructive interference occurred when the wind frequency matched the natural frequency of the bridge

From what I've read, the fall of Tacoma's Narrows Bridge was caused by a lot of contributing factors. The strength of the wind that eventful day was stronger than usual. But, the bridge was made to withstand that strength. However, the wind was so strong that it did not only cause the bridge to undulate as is usual but to twist along its length, which it has never occurred before. The constant twisting resulted to the bridge's cables snapping off and portions of the bridge collapsed.