Numéro
J. Phys. Colloques
Volume 51, Numéro C2, Février 1990
Premier Congrès Français d'Acoustique / First French Conference on Acoustics
Page(s) C2-885 - C2-888
DOI https://doi.org/10.1051/jphyscol:19902206
Premier Congrès Français d'Acoustique / First French Conference on Acoustics

J. Phys. Colloques 51 (1990) C2-885-C2-888

DOI: 10.1051/jphyscol:19902206

ON TYMBAL VIBRATIONS IN CICADA

K. KISHAN RAO, A. WAHEEDULLAH et A. AHMAD

Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Physics, Nizam College, Hyderabad 500001, India


Abstract
The paper reports the frequencies of the different modes of vibrations of the tymbal in cicada theoretically. The two-dimensional wave equation in elliptical coordinates is set up. Since the tymbal is elliptical the solution of the modified Mathieu's equation is considered. In order to obtain the different frequencies, the pulsatance equation is used. The study suggests that elliptic membrane produces vibration of frequencies ωm for m = 1,2,3,........... The theoretical frequencies are in agreement with those determined experimentally by taking sonograms of the sound produced by cicada.