Skip to main content

Select preferred language from 'Translate' hidden side menu =>

Blog Navigation

                              Blog Navigation 

How Sound is Converted into an Electric Signal

 How Sound Waves Are Converted into Electrical Signals Using Microphones, Transducers, and Sensors — Working Principle, Process, and Examples

A sound wave is converted to an electrical signal by several methods, such as…

Sound to Electric signal

Sound Waves to Electric Signal:

  • Change in the Resistance method. 

Carbon microphone.

Carbon Mic

Commercial Carbon Mic

  • Change in Capacitance method. 

Condenser microphone:

Condenser Mic Construction

Commercial Condensor Mic

  • Electromagnetic method. 

Dynamic microphone:

Dynamic Mic Construction

Commercial Dynamic Mic

Animation shows working  of Dynamic Mic


  • Change in Pressure method. 

Piezo microphone:

Piezo Mic Construction

Commercial Piezo Mic

Sound to Electrical Signal conversion process: 

A speaker analogy is helpful. The same method is used in a dynamic microphone: 

When an electrical signal drives a speaker, it generates sound by too to-and-fro motion of the speaker cone.

Animation shows working of speaker


Sound is nothing but the rarefaction and compression of the air when directed towards the speaker, which will produce the same to-and-fro motion of the cone.

The speaker cone is connected to a coil that moves in and out in the strong magnetic field, thus generating voltage according to Faraday's law of induction.

Construction of a speaker

Animation shows Sound to Electric signal conversion


Speaker is transducer to convert sound to Electric signal

This is how sound is converted to an electric signal.


Affiliate Link



FAQ Set:

Q1. What converts sound waves into an electric signal?
A1. A microphone or transducer converts sound energy into electrical energy using a diaphragm and coil or capacitor.

Q2. How does a microphone convert sound into an electrical signal?
A2. The microphone diaphragm vibrates with sound pressure waves, generating voltage variations that form an audio signal.

Q3. What are the main types of microphones used for converting sound to electricity?
A3. Dynamic, condenser, and ribbon microphones are the main types, each using different sound-to-voltage conversion mechanisms.

Q4. Why is sound-to-electric conversion important?
A4. It enables sound amplification, audio recording, broadcasting, communication, and digital signal processing.

Q5. What is the role of the diaphragm in a microphone?
A5. The diaphragm captures sound waves, vibrates accordingly, and converts acoustic vibrations into electrical voltage signals.



More content like this: 



If you like my content, consider supporting us:

Gpay Support Link






Comments

Popular Posts

Blog Navigation

                              Blog Navigation 

What Happens to an Inductor’s Stored Energy When Current Stops?

Can the Energy Stored in an Inductor Be Used Practically? Applications, Benefits, and Real-World Examples. Why does an inductive load create sparking across contacts?  An inductor stores energy in the form of a magnetic field as long as current is flowing through it. As the current stops, the magnetic field began to collapse. Collapsing magnetic flux is also a rate of change of magnetic flux that will induce a large voltage spike (back EMF) across it. Energy stored in an Inductor:  Since this induced voltage is parallel to the inductor coil, it decays by converting it to heat across the coil resistance. In that process, the coil generates a magnetic field again due to the flow of decaying current through the coils, which results in electromagnetic interference in the radio operation and sparking across open contacts. Adverse effects of stored energy in an inductor:  Can we put this back-EMF into use? Yes. Practical Use of Stored Energy in an Inductor:  Spark-ignition...

The Role of a Speaker Enclosure in Sound Quality (Explained)

Why Do Speakers Need Enclosures? Role in Sound Quality, Bass Enhancement, and Acoustic Performance Explained The sound emitted by the speaker at the front and back is exactly 180 degrees out of phase. If the enclosure is not used to isolate backwards radiated sound, it will cancel sound at the front by destructive interference. That will reduce speaker output greatly. Bass reflex port: Some ported enclosures use backwards radiated sound efficiently by phase shifting it by 180 degrees and radiating it from the front (or back), which adds up to the front sound by constructive interference. This increases speaker output, especially in the low-frequency range. More content related to this: Why are capacitors used in speakers? Why is speaker polarity important? Role of a magnet in a speaker FAQ Set: Q1: What is a speaker enclosure? A speaker enclosure is a box or housing that surrounds a speaker driver to control sound radiation and improve performance. Q2: Why are enclosures important for ...

What is the definition of a DC bias voltage in electronics?

What is DC Bias Voltage used in Electronic circuits? — Definition, Importance & Practical Examples DC bias is simply a deliberate addition of a DC voltage to a (circuit) node to offset its operating voltage level. Voltage divider bias in a common emitter amplifier:  The most common and popular example of DC bias is the voltage divider bias in a common-emitter amplifier. What will happen if the DC bias is not given to the base of the above circuit? The transistor will act like a rectifier; it will amplify only the positive part of the signal, creating a distorted output that we don't want. Purpose: The purpose of the DC bias in the above circuit is to keep the base DC offset voltage sufficiently high to keep the base-to-emitter junction forward-biased all the time, considering the subtractive effect of the negative-going excursion of the AC input signal and power supply voltage variations. The typical value is 1.2V for the 12V VCC. Biasing is not always DC; it can be AC: AC bias...

How Snubber Circuits Protect Relay Contacts from Damage

How Do Snubber Circuits Protect Relay Contacts? Working Principle, Benefits, and Design Tips. Explained the Snubber analogy with a shock absorber.  What is 'Snubber'? A snubber circuit is a combination of a resistor and a capacitor. Why switch contact wears out that controls the inductive load? Relay contacts tend to wear out more if it is used to switch an inductive load. When the relay contact opens, the falling magnetic field generates a high voltage spike that results in a spark across the relay contact. A snubber is connected in parallel to the contact. The snubber absorbs the voltage spike. The resistor dissipates the energy stored in the capacitor when the contact closes. Analogy of Snubber:  A Snubber can be compared with the shock absorbers of a car. A spring acts like a capacitor that absorbs shock by compressing, and a damper acts like a resistor that dissipates energy stored in the spring into heat. Both in combination absorb shocks. FAQ Set: Q1: What is a snubber ...