A signal's electromechanical potential with respect to a reference potential. For example, if a
loudspeaker cone moves
forward when a
positive voltage is applied between its red and black terminals, then it is said to have a
positive polarity. A
microphone has
positive polarity if a positive pressure on its
diaphragm results in a positive output
voltage. [Usage Note:
polarity vs.
phase shift:
polarity refers to a signal's
reference NOT to its
phase shift. Being 180°
out-of-phase and having
inverse polarity are DIFFERENT things. We wrongly say something is
out-of-phase when we mean it is
inverted. One takes
time; the other does not.]
