Piezoelectricity facts for kids
Piezoelectric material generates a small electrical voltage, when its shape is deformed. This can be by as little as a 0.09% change, and can produce 12mAh worth of electricity at 230V (standard power output). It is important to note that the actual values of a piezoelectric material's volume or surface area do not change, as only the ratios of each axis (x, y and z) that are altered. E.g. a cuboid with 20 meters cubed volume can have the normal dimensions 1 meter by 2 meters by 10 meters, and the deformed dimensions 2 meters by 2.5 meters by 4 meters; the volume would remain the same (20 meters cubed).
Images for kids
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View of piezo crystal in the top of a Curie compensator in the Museum of Scotland.
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A piezoelectric disk generates a voltage when deformed (change in shape is greatly exaggerated).
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Piezoelectric disk used as a guitar pickup
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Many rocket-propelled grenades used a piezoelectric fuse. Pictured, a Russian RPG-7
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Metal disk with piezoelectric disk attached, used in a buzzer
See also
In Spanish: Piezoelectricidad para niños
