A sound card is an integrated circuit that generates a signal and sends it to a computer's ____________________.

A sound card plays a critical role in a computer's audio processing capabilities. It generates audio signals based on the data it processes from the computer and transforms these signals into sound that can be played through speakers or headphones. Once the sound card converts the digital audio data into an analog signal, it sends these signals to the speakers, which then produce audible sound that we can hear.

Understanding the role of the sound card helps clarify its connection with external output devices such as speakers, which are designed specifically to convert electrical signals into sound. Other components, like the monitor or motherboard, do not have the functionality to directly produce sound from the card's output. Similarly, while the processor may handle audio data, its primary function is processing information rather than producing sound, further emphasizing the specialized role of the sound card in audio output.