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Uses of magnetism - Higher - OCR GatewayLoudspeakers

Electromagnetism is caused by the magnetic fields around wires carrying an electric current. The induced magnetic field of a wire can interact with other nearby magnets, producing a force.

Part of Physics (Single Science)Magnetism and magnetic forces

Loudspeakers

The is used in loudspeakers. In these devices, variations in an electric current cause variations in the produced by an electromagnet. This causes a cone to move, which creates pressure variations in the air and forms sound waves.

End of speaker cone is surrounded by a permanent magnet. A coil of wire which carries electrical signals is wrapped around the end of the cone. Movement generated causes the cone to vibrate.
Figure caption,
A loudspeaker converts electrical signals into sound waves

(ac) supplied to the loudspeaker creates sound waves in the following way:

  1. a current in the coil creates an electromagnetic field
  2. the electromagnetic field interacts with the permanent magnet, generating a force which pushes the cone outwards
  3. the current is made to flow in the opposite direction
  4. the direction of the electromagnetic field reverses
  5. the force on the cone now pulls it back in
  6. repeatedly alternating the current direction makes the cone vibrate in and out
  7. the cone vibrations cause pressure variations in the air, which are sound waves

To make a loudspeaker cone vibrate correctly, the electric current must vary in the same way as the desired sound. Headphones contain small loudspeakers.