Definition

1. Noun:
   • Electricity generated by mechanical pressure on certain crystals: "Piezoelectricity" refers to the phenomenon where electricity is produced when mechanical pressure is applied to specific crystalline materials, such as quartz or Rochelle salt. Conversely, applying an electrostatic stress to these crystals causes a change in their physical dimensions.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The quartz watch uses piezoelectricity to keep accurate time. (The mechanism relies on the electric charge generated by the crystal's vibration.)
  • Piezoelectricity is the principle behind many modern sensors. (These sensors convert pressure into an electrical signal.)

Advanced Usage

• "The piezoelectricity of the material": referring to the specific piezoelectric property of a substance.
  • Researchers are studying the piezoelectricity of new synthetic crystals for medical devices.
• "To harness piezoelectricity": to capture and utilize the generated electric charge.
  • The goal is to harness piezoelectricity from floor tiles to power low-energy lights.

Variants and Related Words

• Piezoelectric (adjective): relating to or involving piezoelectricity.
  • A piezoelectric transducer converts sound waves into electrical signals.
• Piezoelectrically (adverb): in a piezoelectric manner.
  • The device operates piezoelectrically.
• Piezoelectric effect (noun phrase): the specific effect describing the generation of electricity or mechanical deformation.
  • The microphone operates on the piezoelectric effect.

Synonyms

• Piezoelectric effect: (a more specific term for the phenomenon itself).
• Electromechanical transduction: (a broader technical term for converting mechanical energy to electrical energy).

Related Phrases

• Direct piezoelectric effect: the generation of an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress.
  • The direct piezoelectric effect is used in pressure sensors.
• Converse (or inverse) piezoelectric effect: the deformation or change in dimensions of a material in response to an applied electric field.
  • The converse piezoelectric effect allows for precise movements in nanopositioners.

Noun

1. electricity produced by mechanical pressure on certain crystals (notably quartz or Rochelle salt); alternatively, electrostatic stress produces a change in the linear dimensions of the crystal