Electromagnetism
Loudspeakers and Headphones
To explain how loudspeakers and headphones use electrical signals and magnetic forces to produce sound.

What you will learn

How a loudspeaker turns electrical signals into sound

Why current in a coil produces a force

How changing current moves the speaker cone

How vibrations produce sound waves

How signal frequency and size affect the sound
Explanation
Moving-coil speakers use the motor effect to convert varying electrical current into sound. A coil in a permanent magnetic field experiences a changing force, moving an attached cone. An alternating current reverses the force and makes the cone vibrate, producing air-pressure variations; headphones use the same principle on a smaller scale. Example: State the effect used. Motor effect. Distinguish the observation from the explanation, and support any judgement with evidence. Justify your answer.
