3E30.10 - Microphone Construction

Code Number:
3E30.10
Demo Title:
Microphone Construction
Condition:
Fair
Principle:
Variable Pitch Electronic Circuit
Area of Study:
Acoustics
Equipment:
Break-Apart Microphones.
Procedure:

For show and tell only.  The individual components can be observed.

References:
  • Chris Chiaverina, "Exploring Electric Circuits and Resistance Using Pencil Lead", TPT, Vol. 52, #9, Dec. 2014, p. 570.
  • Chris Chiaverina, "The Binchotan Microphone: A Pièce de Résistance from the Stray Cats1", TPT, Vol. 51, #6, Sept. 2013, p. 379.
  • Bob Froehilich, "A Demonstration Condenser Microphone", TPT, Vol. 50, #8, Nov. 2012, p. 508.
  • James M. Moses, K. P. Trout, "A Simple Laser Microphone for Classroom Demonstration", TPT, Vol. 44, # 9, Dec. 2006, p. 600.
  • Alan Van Heuvelen, Leith Allen, and Pavlos Mihas, "Experiment Problems for Electricity and Magnetism", TPT, Vol. 37, #8, Nov. 1999, p. 482.
  • Oleg D. Jefimenko and David Walker, "Electrets", TPT, Vol. 18, #9, Dec. 1980, p. 651.
  • Thomas B. Greenslade Jr., "19th Century Textbook Illustrations XVIII: The Microphone", TPT, Vol. 15, #8, Nov. 1977, p. 495.
  • Alexander Case, "The Vocal Microphone: Technology and Practice", Physics Today, Vol. 69, #3, Mar. 2016, p. 74.
  • Richard J. Fitzgerald, "Microphones Step Up to the Plate", Physics Today, Vol. 67, #1, Jan. 2014, p. 16.
  • Kevin Dupzyk, "How to Get Started in Podcasting", Popular Mechanics, Vol. 192, #7, July/Aug. 2015, p. 41.
  • Joseph D. Ciparick, "The Ear and the Microphone", The Science Teacher, Vol. 55, #9, Dec. 1988, p. 46.
  • George M. Hopkins', "Microphones", Experimental Science Vol. 2, Linsday Publications Inc., 1906, p. 65.
  • R. W. Pohl, "15. Sound Receivers or Detectors", Physical Principles of Mechanics and Acoustics, Blackie & Son Ltd.,  p. 306.
  • Cy Tymoney, "Sneaky Pencil Microphone", Sneakiest Uses for Everyday Things,Andrews McMeel, 2007 p. 41.
  • H. F. Olson, "Modern Sound Reproduction", Carbon Microphones, Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1940, p. 72.
  • H. J. Press, "Microphone", Giant Book of Science Experiments, Steling Publishing Co. Inc., 1998, p. 31.
  • Tom Petruzzellis, "Types of Microphones", Electronic Sensors for the Evil Genius, p. 3.
  • Curt Suplee, "Resistance: Pros and Cons", Everyday Science Explained, National Geographic, p. 96 - 97.
  • Borislaw Bilash II, “Seeing is Believing“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, Flinn Scientific Inc., 2009, p. 308.
  • Brian Carusella, "Simple Microphone", Bizarre Labs, http://bizarrelabs.com/mic.htm, 2023.
  • Simon Leadly, "PZM Mod".

Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.