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Academics: Technology


Story image 1

Chris and Austin wrapping the copper wire to make the voice coil.

Technology Students Hear the Music

Students make their own speakers

by Heidi Rethmeier

September 05, 2008

Can you really make a speaker out of just a Styrofoam cup, copper wire and a magnet?  Designing with Technology students found out it really does work.  After studying electricity and the corresponding magnetic effects, the students built their own speakers and hooked them up to a radio to make music.  We disconnected the built-in speaker of a radio and soldered on alligator clips so the students could hook up their own homemade speakers with the copper wire leads off their coil on the base of a cup. 


Story image 2

Kara demonstrates her speaker.

Most were surprised by the simplicity of the design and enjoyed experimenting with different magnets.  We also dismantled a stereo speaker to compare the commercial design to our homemade speakers.

 

Speaker Instructions

Technology Students Hear the Music

Post your feedback on this topic here

Date Subject Posted by:
09/09/2008 That looks like it would be pretty... Casey Reppert
09/10/2008 I've attached the instructions to... Heidi Rethmeier
09/11/2008 Cool activity! Well done class. Mr. Fisher

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