Project Description
During this project we learned about electricity, and how we can use it. We learned about how to use a breadboard along with other components to create circuits. We started off with a simple circuit, but as more components were introduced they got more and more complicated. We also learned about calculating current, voltage, and resistance. Then, we learned how to program using an arduino board. We had to build circuits and then program them to do the things we wanted. The main part of this project was using arduino to program a robot art show.
Circuits
We learned how to make circuits using a breadboard, a battery, lights, and many other parts. Electricity is the movement of electrons through the circuit as electrons get passed from one atom to the next. A circuit is a complete loop of conductive material from one side of a power source to the other. We use breadboards to make circuits because they are an easy way of making connections without soldering. Breadboards have a conductive material in them which makes this possible. We use resistors in a circuit because otherwise there would be no resistance, which would cause a short circuit. You can use resistor codes to tell if it will provide more or less resistance. Resistor codes are made of colored lines that each have a set value. We also learned how to use things like potentiometers, capacitors, and an IC timer. We had to use all of these components to make a light blink in the blinky lights quiz.
Our Robot Art Show
For our art show we decided to make a song using a piezzo buzzer, and have flashing lights accompany it. The song that we did was Africa by Toto. We used the sheet music to find the notes in the song, then inputted them into our code. We also had to input the beats and the tempo of the song. We had seven lights that each lit up when a different note in the song played. We did this by using "if" "else" so that if the correct note was played the light would light up, but if it wasn't the correct note then it wouldn't.
Important Concepts
V- Voltage. Potential energy difference from one side of a component to the other.
i- Current. Flow of charge through a circuit.
r- Resistance. Amount the current is slowed or resisted through an obstacle.
Ohms Law- V=ir, can be used to calculate the voltage, current, or resistance.
i- Current. Flow of charge through a circuit.
r- Resistance. Amount the current is slowed or resisted through an obstacle.
Ohms Law- V=ir, can be used to calculate the voltage, current, or resistance.
Reflection
During this project, I think that my partner and I worked very well together. We were able to communicate well and share our ideas with each other. Also, we agreed on most ideas, and what we didn't agree on we were able to compromise. Another positive thing about this project was that we divided the work evenly. We both did an equal share of the work. We were both interested in this project, so we were motivated to work hard and understand the information. We enjoyed learning the information, so we wanted to spend time on the project and make it as good as possible. One thing that I could work on is staying on task. It was easy to get distracted looking at other people's projects, especially with an interesting project like this. I could also work on asking multiple classmates for help before asking the teacher, instead of only asking one person.