<P> The bridge 's collapse had a lasting effect on science and engineering . In many physics textbooks , the event is presented as an example of elementary forced resonance ; the bridge collapsed because normal speed winds produced aeroelastic flutter that matched the bridge 's natural frequency . The collapse boosted research into bridge aerodynamics - aeroelastics , which has influenced the designs of all later long - span bridges . </P>
what happened to the tacoma narrows bridge physics
the bridge collapsed because normal speed winds produced aeroelastic flutter that matched the bridge 's natural frequency