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Wing beat frequency of a flier—Mass flow theory

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Proceedings / Indian Academy of Sciences

Abstract

The paper presents a theoretical approach for computing the wing beat frequency of a flier whether it be an insect, bird or bat in its normal state of hovering on the basis of mass flow of air. The calculated values are found to be in good agreement with the observed values. The paper describes the results of 5 species of insects, 4 species of birds and 3 species of megachiropteran bats totalling 136 samples. The mass of the fliers ranges between 0·07 gms to 744 gms and frequencies range from 125 cps to 4 cps respectively. It is concluded that the wing beat frequency of a flier in general varies with the state of flight.

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Abbreviations

M f :

Mass of the flier

L :

Wing span—the length from tip of one wing to the tip of the other wing

l :

Wing length—the length from the joint to the tip of the wing

B eff :

Effective wing breadth=wing area / wing length

S d :

Disc area=πL 2 / 4

ρ :

Density of the medium in which the flier is hovering

g :

Acceleration due to gravity

R :

Reacting force

v :

Wing beat frequency of the flier according to mechanical oscillator theory as reported by Greenewalt

v h :

Wing beat frequency of the flier in the state of hovering according to this theory

v 0 :

Observed wing beat frequency of the flier in its hovering state

K :

Proportionality constant, dimensions of which areLT −1

K′:

8g /πρK=2086

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biophysics Laboratory, Physics Department, Nizam College, 500001, Hyderabad

    P. G. Puranik, G. Gopala Krishna & Adeel Ahmed

  2. Zoology Department, Postgraduate Centre, Warangal

    N. Chari

Authors
  1. P. G. Puranik
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  2. G. Gopala Krishna
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  3. Adeel Ahmed
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  4. N. Chari
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Puranik, P.G., Krishna, G.G., Ahmed, A. et al. Wing beat frequency of a flier—Mass flow theory. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. 85, 327–339 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03052385

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03052385

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