We Can Figure This Out.org
Virtual Lab: SPM Piezoelectric Crystals
University of Virginia
             
 
© 2003-Present, John C. Bean
 
A piezoelectric crystal will include many, many regular repetitions of these ionic groups. In fact that is how scientists define the term crystal: a regular repetition of atomic patterns. Because of these patterns, the crystals are stronger in certain directions, weaker in others. When they are stressed, they break along the weaker directions producing the planar facets we associate with crystals such as diamonds.
 
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