Piezoelectricity

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[edit] Definition

Piezoelectricity is the property of some materials to generate a voltage when deformed or to deform when a voltage is applied. The most common piezoelectric material is the quartz crystal, but many other crystals exhibit piezoelectricity. Even some organic materials such as hair, wood, and bone exhibit weak piezoelectricity.

[edit] Discussion

Piezoelectricity has been used to produce earphones, microphones, ultrasonic transducers, clock crystals, guitar pickups, lighters, motors, transformers, phonograph pickups, and many other products.

[edit] Misconceptions

The New Age movement has sparked a great deal of interest in crystals, particularly quartz. The piezoelectricity of crystals is often presented as evidence that they contain some sort of mystical energy. However, piezoelectricity is a simple electromechanical phenomenon, no more mystical than an electric motor. Furthermore, the amount of power generated by a piezoelectric material is never greater than the amount of power expended in squeezing or bending it.