Piezoelectricity - why hitting crystals makes electricity

Published 138 days ago in Science. Submitted by sux2bu

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.

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Timelapse Of The Future

Published 209 days ago in Science. Submitted by manro

A Journey to the End of Time

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How Much of the Earth Can You See at Once?

Published 1 year ago in Science. Submitted by manro

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Is Our Food Becoming Less Nutritious?

Published 1 year ago in Science. Submitted by thundersnow

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Aluminum and Mercury

Published 31 days ago in Science. Submitted by sux2bu

When mercury is added to aluminum, it forms an amalgam (a mercury alloy).
Aluminum is normally protected by a thick oxide layer, but the formation of the amalgam disrupts it. It allows fresh aluminum to react with air to form white aluminum oxide. As the oxide grows, it forms a…
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