What happens inside a CD player when you listen to an audio CD?

When you listen to an audio CD in a CD player, the player uses a laser to read the digital data encoded on the disc's surface. The laser beam reflects off the pits and lands of the CD, which represents binary information (1s and 0s). This data is then converted into an analog audio signal by the digital-to-analog converter (DAC), allowing you to hear the music through speakers or headphones. The player also manages the rotation of the disc and the movement of the laser to track the correct audio information as the CD plays.