ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Geophone (musical instrument)

A geophone is an instrument, kind of like a toy, that makes noises when you hit it or shake it. It looks kind of like a flat circle or a pancake with a wire coming out of it. You might have seen something like it in cartoons or movies where someone is hitting a big drum or gong and making a loud sound. Well, a geophone is kind of like that, but it's smaller and quieter.

The way a geophone works is kind of like magic! Inside of it, there are tiny little bits called magnets and coils. When you hit the geophone or shake it, these magnets and coils move around and create a small electric signal that goes through the wire and makes a noise. It's kind of like when you hit a drum and the sound goes out into the air so everyone can hear it.

Geophones are often used by people called musicians who like to make music. They might use a geophone to create a special sound that they want in a song. It's kind of like having lots of different colored paints and using each one to make a special picture. Some musicians even use geophones to make sounds like a heartbeat or a thunderstorm!

So, that's what a geophone is! It's a fun musical instrument that makes noises when you hit it or shake it, and it's used by musicians to make special sounds in songs.