When people think about speakers, they don't usually think about magnets. Yet, magnets are exactly what make a speaker produce sound. Although it may sound bizarre, constructing a speaker from materials that you can purchase from your neighborhood hardware store is incredibly easy. It can be an educational and fun afternoon project for the whole family.
Instructions
1. Stack your magnets. Take five of the purchased magnets and stack them, one on top of the other. They should stick together without any help from their own magnetic pull. Cut the cardboard into a five-inch by five-inch square. On the cardboard piece you have, glue down the magnet stack. Let the glue dry completely before proceeding.
2. Make an electromagnet. Cut a piece of paper to the exact height of your stack of magnets, wrap it around the stack then tape it together so that it is closed completely. Repeat this with an identical piece of paper on top of the first. Remove the top paper cylinder and wind the copper wire around the cylinder until you reach the top. Leaving at least 14 inches of extra wire leading out from both the top and bottom, secure the copper wire to the cylinder with glue.
3. Construct a base. Using regular paper, cut out a square that is larger than the cardboard square you already have the magnets on. Attach the copper wire cylinder with glue to the center of this new piece of paper, and let it dry. Using extra cardboard, cut 3/4 inch wide pieces that are an 1/8 inch longer than the height of the stack of magnets. Fold the strips down the middle, so they can stand on their own. Glue them to the corners of the paper with the copper cylinder on it and allow them to dry.
4. Put your speaker together. Gently lower the copper cylinder onto the top of the stack of magnets. Using the extra length of wire coming off of the copper cylinder, clip the ends into the input/output jacks on your stereo. Once you turn on your stereo, you should immediately hear sound from your newly constructed speaker. To magnify the sound even more, add a cup to the top of the contraption.
Tags: copper cylinder, copper wire, piece paper, stack magnets, copper wire cylinder, cylinder with, cylinder with glue