What is the term for the phenomenon where physical pressure applied to a crystal creates an electrical potential?

The phenomenon where physical pressure applied to a crystal generates an electrical potential is known as piezoelectricity. This effect occurs in certain materials, called piezoelectric materials, which have a crystalline structure that allows them to produce an electric charge in response to mechanical stress. When pressure is applied, the symmetry of the crystal structure is altered, leading to a redistribution of electrical charges and thus creating an electrical potential difference.

Piezoelectricity is widely used in various applications, including sensors, actuators, and transducers, particularly in fields like ultrasound imaging, where it enables the conversion of electrical signals into sound waves and vice versa. This characteristic makes piezoelectric materials essential in the functionality of ultrasound equipment used in diagnostic medical sonography.