Electrostriction

Electrostriction is like when you squeeze a balloon and it gets smaller, except it happens to tiny particles inside some materials when you put electricity on them.

Imagine a bunch of little balls inside a rubber band. When you stretch the rubber band, the balls inside get further apart. But when you let go, the rubber band goes back to its original size and the balls get closer together.

Now, instead of stretching the rubber band, imagine you put electricity on it. It’s like someone squeezing the rubber band with electricity. The balls inside get closer together and the rubber band gets smaller. When the electricity stops, everything goes back to normal.

This happens in certain materials, like some crystals, and can be used to make cool things like sensors or actuators.