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Related Experiment Videos

Rotational aerophones.

N H Fletcher1, A Z Tarnopolsky, J C S Lai

  • 1Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering, Australian National University, Canberra. neville.fletcher@anu.edu.au

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|April 5, 2002
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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The bullroarer, an ancient aerophone, produces sound via an oscillating-rotating dipole, not primarily from shed vortices. Experimental and theoretical analysis clarifies its aerodynamic behavior and sound production mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Acoustics
  • Aerodynamics
  • Physics of Musical Instruments

Background:

  • Bullroarers are ancient ceremonial aerophones used globally.
  • Their sound production mechanism has not been fully elucidated.
  • Understanding their aerodynamics is key to understanding their acoustic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To experimentally and theoretically investigate the bullroarer.
  • To elucidate the aerodynamics of its rotational behavior.
  • To determine the primary mechanism of sound production.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental analysis of bullroarer aerodynamics.
  • Theoretical modeling of slat rotation and sound generation.
  • Comparison with wind tunnel experiments.

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Main Results:

  • Slat rotation frequency is related to slat width and velocity.
  • Sound production is primarily due to an oscillating-rotating dipole.
  • Vortices shed by the slat play a minor role in sound generation.
  • Discrepancies in wind tunnel tests are attributed to bearing friction.

Conclusions:

  • The oscillating-rotating dipole is the dominant sound source in bullroarers.
  • Aerodynamic principles explain the instrument's acoustic output.
  • Experimental and theoretical findings clarify the physics of this ancient instrument.