Why is it said that a microphone plays a very important role in day to day sound?

            A microphone, popularly called a mic, is a device we are all familiar with. It is in fact a part of our daily life and can be seen in almost all equipment around us. For example, computers, telephones, televisions, transmitters for commercial radio, tape recorders, hearing aids and public address systems for concert halls, all of them uses microphone.

            Technically, a microphone is a device that converts mechanical energy waves or sound into electrical energy waves.

            Let us see how the device works. When we speak, sound waves carry energy toward the microphone. Inside it, there is something called a diaphragm, which moves back and forth when hit by the waves. As a result, the coil attached to the diaphragm too moves back and forth. This results in the production of electric current, which flows out from the mic to an amplifier, or a sound recording device. Subsequently, the voice of the speaker is heard a loud. This is how personal address systems, electric guitars amplifiers etc. work.