Piezoelectric Source   


   This apparatus was photographed at the University of Colorado physics department in 1975.

   The placard says that it is a Piezoelectric Source, and that it works by applying a known force supplied by a hanging weight to a calibrated quartz crystal. The design is by Pierre Curie (1859-1906).

   The piezoelectric effect was discovered by Haüy, who found that a crystal of calcspar squeezed between the fingers became electrified. There are inverse effects: squeezing a piezoelectric crystal produces a potential difference, while applying a potential difference causes a deformation of the crystal.
 

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