sciencegcse← Topic extras

Separate Physics · Paper 2 · Higher Tier only · P7

Higher: loudspeakers and headphones

Key ideas1 of 3

The motor effect makes sound

A moving-coil loudspeaker has a coil attached to a cone, with the coil in a permanent magnetic field. Current through the coil produces a force because of the motor effect. The force moves the coil and cone. As the cone moves, it pushes and pulls the surrounding air, producing pressure variations that travel away as a sound wave.

Section through a speaker showing coil, cone, permanent poles, field, current and force directions.

Next: Higher: inducing potential difference →
Practice, downloads and sources

Daily 5 · Exam practice · Revision sheet ↓

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

AQA GCSE Physics 8463 · 4.7.2.4. Original notes, questions and diagrams. Models are simplified; teaching data are illustrative.