the microphone

• Moving coil microphone


  A type of microphone that uses the generator effect to convert sound waves into an electrical signal
• How a moving coil microphone works

  1. Sound waves hit the diaphragm

  2. Diaphragm vibrates

  3. Coil of wire moves in and out of magnetic field

  4. Potential difference is induced across the coil

  5. Changing potential difference is amplified and sent to a loudspeaker
• Moving coil microphone


  • Similar to a moving coil loudspeaker
  • Has a coil of wire attached to a thin diaphragm
  • Coil sits in a permanent magnetic field
• Coil moving in and out of magnetic field

  Induces a potential difference across the coil
• Frequency of changing potential difference


  Same as the frequency of the sound waves
• The changing potential difference is amplified and sent to a moving coil loudspeaker
• The moving coil microphone uses the generator effect to convert sound waves into an electrical signal
• You'll find plenty of questions on the moving coil microphone in the physics workbook