Illinois State University, Physics, Normal, IL 61761
The piezoelectric effect is a property of some crystals and ceramics that allows for a mechanical stress to be converted into a voltage. Potassium sodium tartrate (Rochelle salt) is one such piezoelectric crystal that can be grown from a simple reaction between sodium carbonate and potassium tartrate in de-ionized water. Such crystals are the subjects of study and the relationship between their voltage output and the pressure applied, as a mechanical stress, is the primary subject of study.
[Abstract (DOCX)]