All Keystone Science videos

Electricity

Piezoelectric effect

Start with the video, then use the science notes and recommended parts below to follow the idea behind the build.

Electricity

Watch on YouTube

How it works

What this project is testing.

Some crystals and ceramics make voltage when they are squeezed, bent, or struck. The mechanical force shifts charge inside the material just enough to create an electrical pulse.

Read more

This demo shows the piezoelectric effect in the most direct way: motion in, voltage out. It is the same principle behind buzzers, grill igniters, knock sensors, and some microphones.

Q = d F

In a simple model, the charge produced is proportional to the applied force.

Recommended parts

Products used in this project.

Affiliate links may earn Keystone Science a commission. Match ratings, values, sizes, polarity, and safety requirements to your own build before buying.

Rigol Digital Oscilloscope DS1054Z 50 MHz 4-Ch 1 GSa/s 24 Mpts 30,000 wfms/s UltraVision 7" 800x480 Intensity Display, 60,000-Frame Record/Playback, Serial Decode UART I2C SPI for Debug & Education

oscilloscopetest equipment

Rigol DS1054Z Digital Oscilloscope, 50 MHz, 4 Channel, 1 GSa/s

$349.004.7(724)

Good bench choice; budget scope alternatives may be cheaper but less durable.

EDGELEC 120pcs Breadboard Jumper Wires 20cm Wire Length Optional Dupont Cable Assorted Kit Male to Female Multicolored Ribbon Cables

jumper wires / hookup wirewiring

120pcs Breadboard Jumper Wires, 20cm Dupont Cable Assorted Kit, Male to Female

$6.984.7(4,500)

CQRobot Speaker 3 Watt 8 Ohm Compatible with Arduino Motherboard, JST-PH2.0 Interface. It is Ideal for a Variety of Small Electronic Projects.

speakeraudio

CQRobot 3 Watt 8 Ohm Speaker for Arduino and Small Electronics Projects

$7.994.5(457)

Sci-Supply Self-Contained Water Electrolysis Apparatus Kit – Hydrogen & Oxygen Gas Generation Demonstration with Power Supply & Banana Plug Leads – Chemistry & STEM Experiment

hydrogen gaschemistry

Sci-Supply Self-Contained Water Electrolysis Apparatus Kit for Hydrogen and Oxygen Gas Demonstration

$79.954.2(8)

Do not buy or store hydrogen gas. This is a safer water-electrolysis demonstration kit, but it has sparse Amazon review evidence.

szzijia 20PCS 35mm Prewired Piezo Elements Buzzer Sounder Sensor Trigger Drum Disc

piezoelectric buzzer / elementsensor

20PCS 35mm Prewired Piezo Elements Buzzer Sounder Sensor Trigger Drum Disc

$10.984.6(96)

Sparse or missing rating evidence from Amazon search result. Review requirements and safety guidance before buying.

Project files

Prints, kits, and downloads.

Diagrams, printable files, kits, or companion downloads will appear here when they are ready to use.

Coming soon

Contact

Events, speaking, collaborations, and news.

Send the project name, outlet or audience, timing, location, and the context you want covered.

Email Keystone Science