PURPOSE: Demonstration of a piezoelectric crystal.

DESCRIPTION: Pushing down on the handle stresses the crystal, producing piezoelectic charge which makes a small spark across two nail tips (photograph at left), or can be displayed on the electroscope, as seen using the setup at the right or in a video by clicking your mouse on the photograph.

SUGGESTIONS:

REFERENCES: (PIRA 5E60.20)

EQUIPMENT: Piezoelectric crystal with compression mount stand, electroscope with point light source, C-clamp to hold down crystal mount.

SETUP TIME: 5 min.