National League for Nursing (NLN PAX) Practice Exam

Resonance occurs when an object or system is driven to maximum amplitude by the matching of its natural frequency with the frequency of an external force, such as sound waves. This phenomenon takes place when the frequency of the sound waves matches the natural frequency of the object, causing it to vibrate more intensely. This is why musicians, for instance, often tune their instruments to specific frequencies to achieve resonance, amplifying the sound produced.

In the context of other choices, while sound amplification can occur due to resonance, amplification alone does not define the condition necessary for resonance to happen. Sound absorption refers to the dissipation of sound energy, indicating that the sound waves are being absorbed rather than resonating. Sound reflection involves waves bouncing back from surfaces and does not involve the matching frequencies required for resonance. Thus, the key aspect of resonance is the matching of frequencies, making this the correct answer.