# p-z electric? Pieziometric? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 18, 2003, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/p-z-electric-pieziometric/176100 "2003-05-18T19:49:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fishhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9f8e36/32.png) [@Fishhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fishhead)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2003, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/p-z-electric-pieziometric/176100/1 "2003-05-18T19:49:12Z")
I’ve been told by a couple of folks that the firing switch in my 'tater gun is piezielectric or something like that. What is the correct word, and what is ther principle behind its operation? It originally was the starter for a gas grill. Any help? Thanks ahead of time. Fishhead. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2003, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/p-z-electric-pieziometric/176100/2 "2003-05-18T20:04:27Z")
yes, piezoelectric. Certain crystals generate electrical charges in response to mechanical pressure. That is the principle behind Piezielectric microphones and quartz crystals for oscillators. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2003, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/p-z-electric-pieziometric/176100/3 "2003-05-18T20:45:41Z")
The piezoelectric effect is reversible, as well. An electric field applied across a piezoelectric crystal will cause the crystal to distort. This is used in those tiny, flat speakers used in handheld games and cellphones. Here’s a [How Stuff Works article](http://home.howstuffworks.com/question383.htm) on the subject.