In an external force detection apparatus, a crystal plate is cantilevered within a container. Excitation electrodes are formed on the top surface and the bottom surface of the crystal plate. A movable electrode is formed on a distal end on the bottom surface of the crystal plate and is connected to the excitation electrode on the bottom surface via an extraction electrode. A fixed electrode is provided on the bottom of the container to oppose the movable electrode. The excitation electrode on the top surface and the fixed electrode are connected to an oscillating circuit. When an external force acts on the crystal plate to bend it, the capacitance between the movable electrode and the fixed electrode changes, and this capacitance change is captured as a change in the oscillating frequency of the crystal plate.