Piezoelectricity is an electrical effect that occurs when mechanical stress is applied to certain materials, e.g., quartz crystals, Rochelle salts, and barium titanate. The sound of a wrist watch alarm or a smoke detector is made by a piezoelectric transducer. Piezoelectric crystals are used in cigarette and gas stove lighters, where tension produced by a lever produces enough voltage to create a spark. The activity here involves making a simple apparatus to demonstrate piezoelectricity.

Additional Tags

piezoelectric crystal, piezoelectric effect, piezoelectric transducer, piezo, piezo device, piezoelectricity

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Classroom Considerations

• Knovation Readability Score: 4 (1 low difficulty, 5 high difficulty)

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