Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: OldMan on 19/08/2004 04:15:38

Title: EM Radiation
Post by: OldMan on 19/08/2004 04:15:38

Taken from another topic in a post by qpan: "If you whack a piece of quartz, you can generate EM radiation in the form of light as well as an electric current."

how does this work and how did whoever find it out?

Tim

Title: Re: EM Radiation
Post by: qpan on 19/08/2004 09:18:52

The phenomenomis called Triboluminescence and occurs in a variety of crystals. Quartz was the most obvious as its all around us and its effects can be detected during earthquakes.

see:
http://rockhoundingar.com/quartz/experiments.html

The energy given off is caused by changes to the crystal structure.

"I have great faith in fools; self-confidence my friends call it."
-Edgar Allan Poe

Title: Re: EM Radiation
Post by: OldMan on 23/08/2004 04:15:15

Thank qpan, thats quite cool.

Tim