How do electronic sensors actually “sense” things
In: Technology
The exact mechanism depends on the sensor but they all take some physical phenomenon and turn it into an electric signal…either a controlled voltage or a controlled current. Some electronics on the back end read that voltage or current and turn it into a useful value.
Many sensors rely on changing resistance. Thermistors change resistance with temperature, strain gauges change resistance with distortion.
Themocouples change voltage with temperature.
Contact sensors (like a keyboard) can be as simple as a switch.
Hall effect sensors react to nearby magnets.
There are many (many many many) types of sensors.
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