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The National MagLab is funded by the National Science Foundation and the State of Florida.

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Guitar Pickup

This simple device transforms the mechanical energy of the vibrating guitar strings into electrical energy.

"Rock & Roll will never die,” the saying goes, and you might also say rock & roll was born thanks to electromagnetic induction. An electric guitar sounds different than an acoustic guitar because it produces sound through the combined action of electricity and magnetism. The vibrations of the strings are converted into an electric signal via a magnetic component called the pickup, and this signal is then sent to an amplifier and speaker.

Take a look at the guitar pickup illustrated here.

Instructions

  1. Note the coil of wire around a permanent magnet which has its north pole facing up.
  2. Press pluck to see what happens.
  3. When the guitar string nears the permanent magnet, it is magnetized.
  4. The magnetic field induces a current in the coil which is transmitted to an amplifier and speaker, creating the unmistakable, powerful, music-revolutionizing sounds of the electric guitar.

This simple device transforms the mechanical energy of the vibrating guitar strings into electrical energy, which flows to the guitar amplifier and speaker where it is transformed back into mechanical energy in the form of sound waves.