What term refers to the natural frequency of an oscillating system?

The term that refers to the natural frequency of an oscillating system is resonant frequency. This concept is crucial in the study of oscillations and waves, as the resonant frequency describes the frequency at which an oscillating system naturally vibrates when it is not subjected to external forces. When an external force is applied at this frequency, the system can experience significant increases in amplitude, known as resonance.

In oscillation theory, every system (like a pendulum, spring, or even electrical circuits) possesses its unique resonant frequency based on its physical properties (such as mass, stiffness, and damping). This characteristic allows the system to efficiently absorb energy at this frequency, which is why systems can oscillate more strongly when driven at this specific frequency.

Understanding resonant frequency is critical for applications like tuning musical instruments, engineering structures to withstand vibrations, and designing circuits for optimal performance.