tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307187040250193857.post8320494216995488732..comments2024-03-20T03:33:22.357-07:00Comments on Skeptophilia: Thought vs. experimentGordon Bonnethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06003472005971594466noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307187040250193857.post-4810904593012729722012-07-13T14:39:58.161-07:002012-07-13T14:39:58.161-07:00Plucked from the Wikipedia page "Crystal Osci...Plucked from the Wikipedia page "Crystal Oscillators":<br /><br />"Almost any object made of an elastic material could be used like a crystal, with appropriate transducers, since all objects have natural resonant frequencies of vibration. For example, steel is very elastic and has a high speed of sound. It was often used in mechanical filters before quartz. The resonant frequency depends on size, shape, elasticity, and the speed of sound in the material. High-frequency crystals are typically cut in the shape of a simple, rectangular plate. Low-frequency crystals, such as those used in digital watches, are typically cut in the shape of a tuning fork. For applications not needing very precise timing, a low-cost ceramic resonator is often used in place of a quartz crystal."<br /><br /><br /><br />Just because crystals look cool, that must mean they have amazing powers, confirmed by their use in crystal oscillator circuits!<br /><br />Or maybe, that crystal oscillator in your wrist watch is no more special than the integrated circuit chip next to it, or the LCD display that shows you the time.<br /><br />I'm surprised woo-woos aren't more interested in glass than crystal, since glass is technically a liquid/solid hybrid, existing halfway between both states. Way more cool factor, but what do I know? *shrug*Hontseur Thotshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10799765178908406877noreply@blogger.com