The physics of oscillating surfaces and sounds

TL;DR

This paper explores a simple DIY speaker design using magnets and a solenoid, analyzing its sound production and amplification through harmonic oscillator theory to optimize its characteristic frequencies.

Contribution

It introduces an analytical approach to design and optimize a basic magnetic-spring speaker setup for sound creation and modulation.

Findings

Analytical method for optimal setup parameters

Theoretical prediction of characteristic frequencies

Validation with experimental results

Abstract

The longitudinal oscillations of air columns composed of contractions and rarefaction make up sound. Sound amplification is widely used in medical, electronic and communication fields. A simplistic technique for producing and amplifying can be rewarding. In this study, we investigate a simplistic DIY speaker configuration that can be utilized for sound creation and modulation by implementing response of magnets and a solenoid to an oscillating input signal. We use steady state solution of forced simple harmonic oscillator with damping parameters to analyze our design and show its characteristic frequencies. We present an analytical way of obtaining optimal parameters of the setup to theoretically obtain experimental characteristic frequencies and provide an in-depth investigation of the setup.