Lecture on Fascinating Facts About Quartz and Crystals

Introduction

• Speaker: Dr. David Hamilton, Ph.D. Chemist
• Focus: Crystals, specifically quartz
• Used to make crystals in organic chemistry as a purification technique

Fascinating Fact 1: Quartz and Timekeeping

• Piezoelectric Effect:
  • Quartz used in modern clocks and watches
  • Vibrates at exactly 32,768 times per second
  • Allows precise timekeeping
  • Watches and clocks with 'quartz' label refer to this technology

Fascinating Fact 2: Quartz in Optical Fibres

• Total Internal Reflection:
  • Optical fibres made from silicon dioxide (similar to quartz)
  • Melted and drawn into thin fibres—thickness of a human hair
  • Light bounces inside the fibre without escaping
  • Efficient transmission of data
  • Basis for high-speed internet and telecommunications

Fascinating Fact 3: Quartz and Earth's Magnetic Field

• Magnetic Field Protection:
  • Shields life on Earth from harmful cosmic rays
  • Northern and Southern Lights (Aurora Borealis and Australis) are visual manifestations
• Formation of Magnetic Field:
  • Tokyo Institute of Technology research suggests quartz formation near Earth's core is key
  • Earth's core contains molten iron with silicon, oxygen, and other elements
  • Lighter elements rise, crystallize into quartz, creating convection currents
  • Contributes to the generation of Earth's magnetic field

Fascinating Fact 4: Quartz and Earthquakes

• Plate Tectonics and Earthquakes:
  • Earth's crustal plates move, grind, and slip causing earthquakes
  • Earth's crust compared to irregular hexagonal plates floating on molten rock
  • Historical drift of continents (e.g., Africa and South America)
• Healing Earthquakes with Quartz:
  • Molten rock rises into cracks formed by earthquakes
  • Quartz crystals form, crystallize, and act like sutures healing the Earth's crust

Conclusion

• Dr. David Hamilton shares his fascination with quartz and its significant roles
• Quartz crucial in timekeeping, telecommunications, magnetic field formation, and geological healing
• Highlights the natural and technological importance of quartz

• Speaker's Note: Dr. Hamilton expresses a deep personal interest in crystals.
• Contact: Dr. David Hamilton, Scientist.