New
New
Lesson 4 of 16
  • Year 10

Buzzers

I can explain the function of different buzzers and use them as output components in a control system.

Lesson 4 of 16
New
New
  • Year 10

Buzzers

I can explain the function of different buzzers and use them as output components in a control system.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Buzzers are output devices which convert an electrical signal into a sound.
  2. There are two types of buzzers, electromechanical and piezoelectric.
  3. An electromagnetic coil is used in an electromechanical buzzer to move a piece of metal which makes the sound.
  4. In a piezoelectric buzzer, the smart material flexes and makes the sound.
  5. Changing the frequency of the movement in the buzzer changes the pitch we hear.

Keywords

  • Electromechanical - an electrically operated mechanical device

  • Piezoelectric - a smart material which creates a small amount of electricity when pushed

  • Electromagnet - a magnet made using a coil, a core and a power supply

Common misconception

Buzzers all work in the same way.

Different buzzers work in different ways.


To help you plan your year 10 design and technology lesson on: Buzzers, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Have a variety of products and components available to demonstrate sound as an output of a control system.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Sound output components. Access to Tinkercad

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is a smart material?

Correct answer: react to a stimuli
Correct answer: react by changing colour, shape or conductivity
have a processor
are new materials

Q2.
Smart materials give designers exciting when developing new products.

Correct Answer: possibilities

Q3.
Match the smart material with the definition

Correct Answer:thermochromic pigments,change colour in response to heat

change colour in response to heat

Correct Answer:photochromic pigments,change colour in response to sunlight

change colour in response to sunlight

Correct Answer:hydrochromic pigments,change colour in response to water

change colour in response to water

Correct Answer:piezoelectric,a small electric charge is generated in response to pressure

a small electric charge is generated in response to pressure

Correct Answer:polymorph,change shape in response to heat

change shape in response to heat

Q4.
Energy consumption is measured in ...

£s.
Correct answer: watts.
millimeters.
volts.
amps.

Q5.
The directional flow of electrons from one pole to another is called?

Correct Answer: polarity

Q6.
Some components are sensitive and can be damaged if the current flowing through is too high, how can the current within a circuit be controlled?

Correct answer: add a resistor
add a multimeter
add a battery
add more wire

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
An electrically operated mechanical device is an device

Correct Answer: electromechanical

Q2.
What happens to piezoelectric material if it is pushed?

squashes
vibrates
nothing
Correct answer: it creates a small amount of electricty
it creates a large amount of electricty

Q3.
Sound is measured in ...

millimeters.
milliamps.
Correct answer: decibels.
Correct answer: resonant frequencies.

Q4.
In tinkercad, which code block do we use to send a signal to a piezoelectric buzzer?

digital write pin
Correct answer: analogue pitch
show string