Piezoelectric Effect - Interactive Visualization - Interactive Visualization Tutorial

Piezoelectric Crystal Display

Output Voltage V: 0.00 V

Deformation Δt: 0.00 mm

Electric Field E: 0.00 V/mm

Charge Distribution

Positive Charge (+) Negative Charge (-)

Parameter Controls

Force Parameters

Applied Force F: 0 N

Voltage Parameters

Applied Voltage V: 0 V

Crystal Parameters

Crystal Thickness t: 10 mm Crystal Length L: 50 mm Piezo Constant g: 0.05 V/N Charge Constant d: 0.3 nm/V

Piezoelectric Materials

Display Options

Show Charges Show Electric Field Lines Show Force/Field Vectors Show Grid

Quick Presets

Piezoelectric Effect Formulas

Direct Piezoelectric Effect V = g × t × F

Inverse Piezoelectric Effect Δt = d × V × L

E = V/t E = V/t

Applications of Piezoelectric Effect

🔥

Lighter (Direct)

Press to generate high voltage, ignite gas

🔊

Buzzer (Inverse)

Voltage changes create vibration and sound

📊

Pressure Sensor

Measure pressure changes, output electrical signal

⏰

Quartz Clock

Precise oscillation for timekeeping

What is the Piezoelectric Effect?

The piezoelectric effect is the ability of certain materials (such as quartz, PZT ceramics) to generate an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress (direct piezoelectric effect), or to deform in response to an applied electric field (inverse piezoelectric effect). Discovered by the Curie brothers in 1880, it is widely used in sensors, actuators, frequency control, and other fields.

Direct Piezoelectric Effect

When mechanical force is applied to a piezoelectric material, the centers of positive and negative charges within the material undergo relative displacement, resulting in the generation of induced charges on the material's surface. The generated voltage is proportional to the applied force: V = g × t × F, where g is the piezoelectric voltage constant, t is the material thickness, and F is the applied force.

Inverse Piezoelectric Effect

When an electric field is applied to a piezoelectric material, the electric dipoles within the material rearrange, causing the material to undergo mechanical deformation. The deformation is proportional to the applied voltage: Δt = d × V × L, where d is the piezoelectric charge constant, V is the applied voltage, and L is the material length.

Piezoelectric Mechanism

The piezoelectric effect originates from the lack of a center of symmetry in the material's crystal structure. Without external force, the centers of positive and negative charges coincide, and the material shows no polarity. When mechanical force is applied, lattice deformation causes charge center separation, creating electric polarization. Similarly, applying an electric field causes lattice deformation and mechanical strain.