This document discusses elastic response spectra and how they are used to analyze the response of structures to earthquakes. It defines elastic response spectra as plots of the peak response of single-degree-of-freedom oscillators as a function of their natural period when subjected to ground motion. The peak displacement response can then be used to determine equivalent static forces like base shear. Response spectra provide a convenient way to summarize the response of all possible linear systems to ground motions and are used in building codes to determine design lateral forces.