Quartz Crystal: The word
crystal is derived from a Greek word meaning clear ice. A
near-perfect quartz crystal will form only if its chemical environment
stays constant and is able to grow freely and unobstructed. Quartz
crystals are strongly piezoelectric, becoming polarized with a negative
charge on one end and a positive charge on the other when subjected to
pressure. They will vibrate if an alternating electric current is
applied to them. Thus they are very important in industry for making
pressure gauges, oscillators, resonators and watches.
Origin: Brazil
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