How can a quartz crystal be used as a piezo-electric transducer?
Piezoelectric means electric response to strain. Quartz is a piezoelectric substance. Piezoelectricity can be used two ways: as a generator of voltage from strain or to produce strain from an applied voltage. So in a piezoelectric pressure transducer, pressure deflects the crystal, producing strain, which generates voltage. In reverse, applied voltage causes strain in the crystal, The crystal can then be used to generate sound or vibrations. Piezoelectric crystals are used this way in some ink-jet printers to force ink out of the nozzles.
