Piezoelectricity - why hitting crystals makes electricity

CuriosityStream: Get 30 days free by following this link and using promo code stevemould:

Certain crystals, like quartz will produce a voltage when hit. It's all to do with the arrangement of atoms and charge in the lattice. It's used in lots of things like piezo lighters, sensors, speakers and oscillators for timekeeping.

Thanks to these amazing patrons on Patreon for supporting my channel:

Glenn Watson
Peter Turner
Joël van der Loo

[KelsomaticPDX]

I always cordoned off Piezoelectricity as one of those things I just wouldn't ever really understand. It's sort of delightfully simple thanks to your breakdown! Really appreciate this video, it opens up a better understanding of so many electronics.

[ZanderHulme]

Audio nerds: "be careful when wiring your piezo pickup, they're quite delicate"
Steve Mould, literally banging it with a hammer: "IT'S NOT A VERY GOOD MICROPHONE"

[ghguyrur]

If you rub two quarts together it produces a really cool lighting effect, that jumps through the insides of the stones. Very very cool, I use it when camping to make my friends think I’m a wizard

[evilpandakillabzonattkoccu]

1:57 fun fact: when you take a rock with lots quartz in it (say, a large chunk of quartz) and rub it against another rock (it's best with another large chuck of quartz), the quartz will make a dust (that is *hazardous to breathe in* ). Those tiny flakes break in such a way that rubbing them will create light. 👍

[rpbp]

Probably the only person who ACTUALLY DESCRIBES WHY and does not just repeat what they "researched" without understanding.

[heraclitus]

Mom - "what did you learn today?"

Me - "Steve Mould likes peanut butter."

[chrisengland]

Steve covers an amazing range of topics - chemistry, electronics, physics, crystallography and more. Probably one of the best channels on YouTube.

[uvbe]

This is amazing, I had no idea that's how those lighters worked.

[facelessgreen]

That sensor microphone is what my random teammates in Overwatch usually use

[EvanAndHell]

The Great Pyramid of Giza brought me here.

[OfficialBurrow]

My electric drum pads have a piezoelectric disc inside of them. That's cool I've always wondered how that worked.

[Roosauec]

>strike crystals
>Get electricity
>Redstone IRL

[andyfrey]

"Orally, or..." Priceless reaction. Your videos are fantastic.

[dylanharris]

In the absence of referencing a textbook for confirmation, I thought this was a very succinct explanation that would be a great starting point for anyone interested in this effect.
Thanks for the great work, Steve! Keep it up 👍🏻

[monkeyrilla]

This video was very well put together and clear, preciate it!

[Confuseddave]

Silicon dioxide clears my chakras? That must be why sandy beaches are so relaxing.

[aidenquinn]

Very cool to see material science getting some love! Piezoelectricity and similar concepts that are driven by spontaneous polarization play an important role in a lot of things we use everyday!

[grmwatch]

This is an incredible video. Thank you for explaining this amazing phenomenon in such simple terms and such an approachable manner.

[elon_muskrat]

"It's not a great speaker, but IT IS a speaker". I don't know exactly why but this line is funny af

[gigglysamentz]

1:56 "I don't know if you take it orally or..." That's the hardest I've laughed in a long time X'D