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Separate Physics · Paper 2 · Higher Tier only · P7

Higher: moving-coil microphones

Key ideas1 of 3

Sound moves a conductor

In a moving-coil microphone, pressure variations in a sound wave vibrate a diaphragm. A coil attached to the diaphragm moves with it in a permanent magnetic field. This changing magnetic situation induces a potential difference across the coil. If the coil forms part of a complete circuit, the induced potential difference drives a varying current carrying the audio information.

Sound pressure variations move a diaphragm and attached coil in a magnetic field.

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Daily 5 · Exam practice · Revision sheet ↓

Higher Tier only · P7. Use alongside the shared P7 lessons.

AQA GCSE Physics 8463 · 4.7.3.3. Original notes, questions and diagrams. Models are simplified; teaching data are illustrative.