2007-02-25 18:51:35 · 2 answers · asked by Lai Yu Zeng 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Quartz has special property known as piezoelectric effect, which makes it develop an electrical charge and a potential difference across its faces when subjected to a mechanical strain and its reverse, namely develop a mechanical strain if a voltage difference is applied across its faces. So by applying an alternating voltage or by applying a small pulse (like knockin it), it can be set to vibrate. Since it is also mechanically and chemically very stable, a frequency circuit built using a quartz crystal will be very stable since the feed-back from the crystal's natural frequency can be used to correct the frequency drift of the circuit.
2007-02-25 19:30:20 · answer #1 · answered by Swamy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you pass an electrical current through it...it will vibrate at a known frequency...therefore frequency standard for time....it's used in about every watch and clock in the world. others used are rubibium and cesium.
2007-02-26 02:56:07 · answer #2 · answered by Justin H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋