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Make your own simple speaker so you can listen to your favorite radio station. Just wind a coil, attach it to a piece of cardboard or Styrofoam, hold a magnet nearby, and listen. This activity explores electromagnetism and teaches about the way sound moves, from a singer's vocal cords, though radio waves, and all the way to a listener's ear.
- 5 to 10 minutes
- 30 to 45 minutes
- $1 - $5 per student
- Ages 8 - 18
- Activity
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per student)
- coated copper magnet wire, 2 feet (60 cm) or more, of 24 gauge or higher (thinner)
- magnets, at least 2 (we recommend magnets 1 inch in diameter and 1/4 thick)
- tape Player, CD player, or radio, with headphone plug
- a mini mono phono plug connected to two alligator clips
- a piece of cardboard, or Styrofoam
- sticky tape
- a D cell battery, pen, pencil, or marker (used only to wrap the wire into a coil)
- sandpaper, about 2 inches (5 cm) square
Subjects
-
Physical Sciences
-
Electricity and Magnetism
- Electric Charges and Currents
- Electromagnetic Fields
- Electric Circuits
-
Vibration and Waves
- Sound
-
Electricity and Magnetism
Informal Categories
- Electronics
- Music
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- hear
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves hands-on or lab activities