Question

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

Answer 1

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

Explanation: the periodic wind forced the bridge at its natural frequency (resonance), causing successive oscillations to add (constructive interference) and grow until failure.