How does a telephone work? - Writing task
Science Resource Description
A landline telephone is a marvel of communication technology that allows us to speak with someone far away as if they were in the same room. When you speak into a landline phone, your voice generates sound waves. These sound waves are captured by the phone's microphone, which converts them into electrical signals. These signals travel through a network of wires and cables, often underground or strung on telephone poles, until they reach the phone of the person you're calling. There, the electrical signals are converted back into sound waves by the phone's speaker, allowing the recipient to hear your voice. The entire process happens almost instantaneously, enabling real-time conversation.
Mobile telephones operate on a similar principle but with a wireless twist. When you speak into a mobile phone, your voice is still converted into an electrical signal. However, instead of traveling through wires, the signal is transmitted as radio waves. These waves are sent to a nearby cell tower, which then passes the signal to a tower closer to the person you're calling. The network of cell towers, or 'cells', ensures that your call can be connected even if you or the person you're calling is on the move. The receiving mobile phone then converts the radio waves back into electrical signals and finally into sound waves, allowing the conversation to flow seamlessly. This system of cells and towers allows us to maintain communication over vast distances, making mobile phones an essential tool in our daily lives.