Demonstrations

Piezoelectric Crystal Demo

Code Number :	5E60.12
Disclaimer:	*Disclaimer* These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist. The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose. The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources. Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks. These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage. Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.
Condition :	Good
Principle :	Piezoelectric Crystal
Area of Study :	Electricity & Magnetism
Equipment :	Piezoelectric crystal circuit board, Neon or Argon bulb for piezoelectric circuit, Large Rochelle Salt Crystal (Sodium Potassium Tartrate), Flash Rocks, Grill lighter, Piezo popper.
Procedure :	This demo works on the principle that the bending of the special crystal produces a voltage discharge. The gas light bulbs act as visual indicators of this discharge. The flash rocks have quartz crystals impregnated in them so that when you subject them to stress the quartz gives an electrical discharge. Stress means hitting, rubbing, or squeezing the rocks together. Add 2 drops of methanol to the film canister at the end of the Piezo popper. Shake vigorously. Point away from all individuals and pull the trigger. This can be used to show how a gas engine works. A variation of the first demo described here is to solder a small neon bulb to the contacts of a used grill lighter. Pressing the trigger causes the bulb to flash briefly.

Web Sites

"Chapter 5: Thermodynamics: Building the Film Can Cannon", www.scitoys.com

References

S. Lloyd and M. Paetkau, "Characterization of a Piezoelectic Buzzer Using a Michelson Interferometer", TPT, Vol. 48, # 9, December 2010, p. 610.

H. Richard Crane, "How Things Work", TPT, Vol. 32, # 6, Sept. 1994, p. 360.

"The Quartz Analog Watch: A Wonder Machine", TPT, Vol. 31, # 8, Nov. 1993, p. 501.

Kaye M. Elsner, Craig Anderson, "Spark Student Interest with a Piezoelectric Demonstration", TPT, Vol. 29, # 8, Nov. 1991, p. 510.

Roger E. Malcolm, "A Measurement Using the Piezoelectric Effect", TPT, Vol. 27, # 8, Nov. 1989, p. 637.

Eugene P. Scheide, "The Piezoelectric-Crystal Mercury Dosimeter", TPT, Vol. 15, # 1, Jan. 1977, p. 47.

Robert E. Apfel, "Acoustic Surface Waves in Piezoelectric Materials - a New Technology", TPT, Vol. 12, # 2, Feb. 1974, p. 109.

J. S. Huebner, "A Piezoelectric Spark Pump", TPT, Vol. 9, # 8, Nov. 1971, p. 471.

J. Harris and A. Ahlgren, "Some Simple Experiments and Demonstrations", TPT, Vol. 4, # 7, Oct. 1966, p. 314.

Josef Valasek, "Piezoelectricity", TPT, Vol. 1, # 5, Nov. 1963, p. 217.

Ea-9: Freier and Anderson, A Demonstration Handbook for Physics.

Julien Clinton Sprott, Physics Demonstrations, "2.23 Ethanol Vapor Explosion", p. 126, ISBN 0-299-21580-6.

"Physics Update-Giant Piezoresistance", Physics Today, June 2008, p. 20.

"Putting the Squeeze on Ferroelectrics", Physics Today, March 2008, p. 18.

C.L. Stong, "An Amateur's Improved Design for a Homemade Quartz Crystal Clock", The Amateur Scientist, June, 1961.

Simon Quellen Field, "The Mark II Film Can Cannon", Gonzo Gizmos, p. 154 - 155.

Alan Holden and Phylis Morrison, "The Piezoelectric Effect", Crystals and Crystal Growing. p. 225 - 234.

Arthur B. Ellis, Margret J. Geselbracht, Brian J. Johnson, George C. Lisensky, William R. Robinson, "Piezoelectric Crystals", Teaching General Chemistry - A Materials Science Companion, p. 42.

Arthur B. Ellis, Margret J. Geselbracht, Brian J. Johnson, George C. Lisensky, William R. Robinson, "Atoms and Electrons", Chapter 2, Teaching General Chemistry - A Materials Science Companion, p. 20.

Arthur B. Ellis, Margret J. Geselbracht, Brian J. Johnson, George C. Lisensky, William R. Robinson, "An Introduction to Materials Science", Chapter 1, Teaching General Chemistry - A Materials Science Companion, p. 12.

Janice VanCleave, "Flash!", 200 Gooey, Slippery, Slimy, Weird, & Fun Experiments, p. 19.

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