Description: Piezoelectric model.

Caption: The hexagonal base units are machined in wood. These were intended to show how piezoelectricity was transferred after it was generated by compressing or stretching a crystal such as quartz. Each section has three interlocking grooves and three flanges arranged diagonally across the long surfaces of each unit.

Introduction: These interlocking base units represent the underlying hexagonal structure of a quartz crystal and were intended to demonstrate how the charge of electricity moved through the crystal lattice. There are two models, this one and GLAHM 105627 which are enantiomorphs or mirror images of each other.

Background: The grooves and flanges represent Kelvin's ideas on how the negative and positive flow of electricity in the crystals occurred. Unfortunately because of the geometry of each unit of the model it is not possible to determine whether this or GLAHM 105627 "laevo" left hand or the "dextro" right hand enantiomorph.

Reference: Holbrook, Mary. "Science Preserved A Directory of Scientific Instruments in the collections in the United Kingdom and Eire", 1992 p. 132

Historical Context: Design - Who: Thomson, William, Professor (1824-1907) Sir William Thomson from 1866 and Ist Baron Kelvin of Largs from 1892 better known as Lord Kelvin

Historical Context: Design by Lord Kelvin - When: circa 1892 - Where: Netherhall, Largs, Ayrshire, Scotland

Historical Context: Discovery of Piezoelectricity by Pierre and Jacques Curie - When: 1880 - Where: Paris, France

Historical Context: Discovery of the piezo electric effect - Who: Curie, Jaques (1856-1941) French physicist - Who: Curie, Pierre (1859-1906) French physicist

Historical Context: Manufacture - When: circa 1892 - Where: Unknown, the model is unsigned

Historical Context: Used in research in the Department of Natural Philosophy now called the Department of Physics and Astronomy - Where: Natural Philosophy Department, Gilbert Scott Building, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow, Scotland - Who: Thomson, William, Professor (1824-1907) Sir William Thomson from 1866 and Ist Baron Kelvin of Largs from 1892 better known as Lord Kelvin

Historical Context: Used in the Gilbert Scott B'lding by Prof. William Thomson in the Department of Natural Philosophy now called the Department of Physics and Astronomy - When: circa 1895

Historical Context: Event - "Lord Kelvin: A life in science" exhibition, Hunterian Museum, University of Glasgow. Object on display in this exhibition.