Piezoelectric materials change shape when a voltage is applied to them, a process called ______.

Piezoelectric materials change shape when a voltage is applied to them, a process called ______.

• A. Direct piezoelectric effect
• B. Reverse piezoelectric effect
• C. Piezoelectric conduction
• D. Ferroelectric shift

Answer: (B)

Piezoelectric materials respond to electric fields and to mechanical stress in two related ways. When you apply a voltage, the crystal lattice distorts and the material changes shape; this is the reverse (or converse) piezoelectric effect. It's called reverse because it’s the opposite of the direct piezoelectric effect, where mechanical pressure generates an electric charge. The other terms don’t describe shape change due to voltage: piezoelectric conduction isn’t a standard phenomenon, and ferroelectric shift refers to polarization changes in ferroelectrics rather than deformation from an applied electric field. So, the process described is the reverse piezoelectric effect.

Piezoelectric materials respond to electric fields and to mechanical stress in two related ways. When you apply a voltage, the crystal lattice distorts and the material changes shape; this is the reverse (or converse) piezoelectric effect. It's called reverse because it’s the opposite of the direct piezoelectric effect, where mechanical pressure generates an electric charge. The other terms don’t describe shape change due to voltage: piezoelectric conduction isn’t a standard phenomenon, and ferroelectric shift refers to polarization changes in ferroelectrics rather than deformation from an applied electric field. So, the process described is the reverse piezoelectric effect.