Transducer: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word combines 'trans' from Latin, meaning 'across' and 'ducere', meaning 'to lead or draw'.
• It was first used in the 19th century in engineering and technology fields.
• The concept of transduction has roots in various scientific disciplines including physics and biology.

Technology

• Microphones are a common type of transducer, converting sound waves into electrical signals for recording.
• Speakers act as transducers that take electrical signals and convert them back into sound waves.
• In medical imaging, ultrasound transducers convert sound waves into images of internal body structures.

Science

• In biology, sensory cells act as transducers by converting environmental stimuli into neural signals.
• Photovoltaic cells transduce sunlight into electrical energy, demonstrating the relationship between light and electricity.

Everyday Examples

• In your home, devices like thermostats can transduce temperature readings into digital signals for smart systems.
• Digital cameras use photo sensors as transducers to convert light into electronic images.

Education

• Learning about transducers can enhance students' understanding of physics, especially in sound and energy transfer topics.
• Transduction is an essential concept in engineering programs, emphasizing the role of energy conversion in systems.

Ranked #12,093, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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