[Help] Calculating impact force

[themadquark]

I am currently working on an experiment with piezoelectricity and was wondering how I would measure the force applied to the crystal. I have been tapping the crystal with a screw driver and was wondering how I would calculate the force of these taps as I cannot find the amount of displacement in the crystal. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[berkeman]

I am currently working on an experiment with piezoelectricity and was wondering how I would measure the force applied to the crystal. I have been tapping the crystal with a screw driver and was wondering how I would calculate the force of these taps as I cannot find the amount of displacement in the crystal. Any help is greatly appreciated.

You could rig up a ratcheting spring mechanism. The spring compresses with the tap, and the distance it compresses is measured with a ratcheting rod of some sort...

 

[berkeman]

On second thought, you don't need a ratchet. You just need some marking mechanism to mark a rod as the spring compresses. Measure how far the mark goes.

BTW, this will just give you the peak force. You would need to video tape it to figure out the force versus time graph...

 

[themadquark]

Thanks, I was thinking to rig up a sort of spring and just use Hooke's Law. I'm guessing I could probably use a ruler and sheet of paper to mark the spring's peak and compression.

 

[PJC01]

Calculating impact force can be a complex process, but there are a few steps you can take to help determine the force applied to the crystal in your experiment. First, you will need to determine the mass of the screwdriver you are using to tap the crystal. This can be done by weighing the screwdriver on a scale.

Next, you will need to measure the acceleration of the screwdriver as it makes contact with the crystal. This can be done using a high-speed camera to capture the motion of the screwdriver or by using an accelerometer attached to the screwdriver.

Once you have the mass and acceleration, you can use the equation F=ma (force = mass x acceleration) to calculate the force applied by the screwdriver to the crystal. Keep in mind that this will give you the force at the point of contact, but the crystal may also experience additional forces due to its own mass and the force of gravity.

It is also important to note that piezoelectric crystals can have different properties and may respond differently to different types of forces. It may be helpful to consult with a materials expert or review the specific properties of the crystal you are using in your experiment.

Overall, accurately measuring and calculating impact force can be a challenging task, but by carefully considering the mass, acceleration, and properties of your materials, you can obtain a reasonable estimate of the force applied to the crystal in your experiment.