Piezoelectric Example

Attach the cardiac monitoring electrodes to the sides of the quartz. Attach the voltmeter or multimeter to the electrodes. This will help to monitor the electrical changes that the quartz undergoes.

Place the prepared piece of quartz under the cardboard or blanket to protect it. Have the voltmeter close enough that you can see when it spikes, or ask a friend to help monitor it. Hit the quartz with the hammer, not so hard that it breaks but enough to make an impact on it. The meter should have a quick spike in electricity because of mechanical stress on the object.

You can see the same effect by placing the quartz into a frying pan and heating it, using caution not to burn the electrodes. The heating causes the electrons to excite and generate a mild electrical charge.

Triboluminescence

Turn out the lights to assist with visibility.

Hold a piece of quartz in each hand.

Press the quartz pieces against one another and rub one against the other. This pressure should create an orange glow between the pieces. Although triboluminescence is not completely understood, prevailing theories say it is because of a break and reunification of electrical bonds.

Things You'll Need

• 2 pieces of quartz
• 2 cardiac monitoring electrodes
• Multimeter or voltmeter
• Frying pan
• Stove
• Hammer
• Cardboard or blanket

Tips

• A common misconception is that a quartz watch runs on electricity generated by quartz alone, when in fact the quartz is charged with electricity from a battery. Electricity is produced from electrons in motion. The quartz in this situation is cut in exacting shapes and charged by the battery. The charge causes the electrons to move, while the exact cuts set that movement at a given frequency. This movement sets the pace for a watch and makes it run.