Which device converts sound energy into an electrical signal?

A microphone is a device that specifically converts sound energy into an electrical signal. It operates based on the principle of transduction, where sound waves, which are mechanical waves, hit the diaphragm of the microphone. This diaphragm vibrates in response to the sound waves, and those vibrations are then transformed into an electrical signal through various mechanisms, depending on the type of microphone (such as dynamic, condenser, or ribbon).

Microphones are essential in sound recording and communication systems because they allow sound to be captured and represented in a form that can be processed, transmitted, or recorded electronically. This functionality is critical in various applications, including live sound reinforcement, music production, and telecommunication systems.

While a speaker is designed to do the opposite—convert electrical signals back into sound energy—an amplifier boosts electrical signals but does not perform the conversion from sound to electrical. A transducer, although related to sound, is a broader term that refers to any device that converts one form of energy to another, encompassing microphones but also including other devices that may not deal specifically with sound.