How is quartz crystal used in timekeeping?

Question

Can you try to answer this question using the the word: Peizoekectricity

Answer 1

Piezoelectricity is a way of squeezing an electrical currant from a crystal

Answer 2

I cannot use the word Peizoekectricity because it's not a word.

When cut to a certain shape and thickness, because of the piezoelectric effect, a piece of quartz will vibrate at a certain frequency and cause a voltage between two metal plates which touch it. The frequency is very stable and is used to drive the mechanical mechanism or the electronic display for the clock keeping excellent time.

Answer 3

Under pressure quartz will vibrate at 32 KHz. The quartz is held in an oscillator (looks like a mini electrolytic capactor) inside a watch. It is the size of an ant. (Your average ant, not one of those daddy ants that carry trees). This vibration is converted into an electric signal and fed into an integrated circuit which counts the pulses. This is how the 'ticks' are so regular.

Answer 4

The crystal has resonance at a specific frequency. If connected in an oscillatory circuit as a resonator, the circuit will oscillate in a stable manner, at that frequency.

In this mode the crystal itself doesn't generate electricity, just regulates the way it flows, so to speak, in the circuit.

The circuit generates the signal. Additional circuitry then takes that signal and divides it down to, e.g. one pulse per second, for a clock.