In the very beginning of this project, we worked in groups of two using wires, light bulbs, batteries, and an instructions packet to discover how series and parallel networks work. In the middle of the instructional packet, I started moving too fast for my original partner, Diamon, so I left him and continued to work on my own. After the first packet, we moved into breadboard circuits, using voltmeters and ammeters to measure current and voltage in certain parts of a circuit. For the culmination of the breadboard project, we assembled a circuit that made a light blink on and off. After the breadboard, we received an arduino uno, and made 16 circuits to teach us how to code. I worked with Casey during these projects. At the end of this project, we were allowed to build some kind of circuit with the arduino, and present it to the class. Casey and I decided to modify circuit 16, which was a game of Simon Says. We made the startup and losing sounds much more obnoxious, but that isn't where we stopped. We also made it so that whenever you pressed the reset button on the arduino, it would make each of the buttons correspond with a new light. We used the Random() function and If() statements to accomplish this.
Concepts used:
Circuit: A circuit is defined as a strip of conductive materials That runs from the positive side of a power source to the negative side of a power source. It is important to note that while this will work, you will short-circuit your battery if you don't have any resistance.
Resistance: Represented by an R, resistance is how much a conductive object will slow current. Resistors are the main source of resistance in a circuit, but light bulbs and many other materials have it as well. Resistance in a series can be calculated using RTotal=R1+R2+R3. In parallel, the equation is 1/RTotal=1/R1+1/R2+1/R3. Resistance is measured in Ohms, and can also be found using R=V/I
Current: Current is the flow of electricity through a circuit, or a component of a circuit. It represents how much power is passing through a part, and is represented by an I. Current in parallel can be found using ITotal=I1+I2+I3. In parallel, the equation is ITotal=I1=I2=I3. Current is measured in Amps, and can also be found using I=V/R
Voltage: Voltage is the difference in electric potential between two points in a circuit. One can also think of it as the pressure on the electricity to move. Voltage is represented by a V. In series, it is calculated using VTotal=V1+V2+V3. In parallel, it is VTotal=V1=V2=V3. Voltage is measured in Volts, and can also be found using R=IV.
Circuit: A circuit is defined as a strip of conductive materials That runs from the positive side of a power source to the negative side of a power source. It is important to note that while this will work, you will short-circuit your battery if you don't have any resistance.
Resistance: Represented by an R, resistance is how much a conductive object will slow current. Resistors are the main source of resistance in a circuit, but light bulbs and many other materials have it as well. Resistance in a series can be calculated using RTotal=R1+R2+R3. In parallel, the equation is 1/RTotal=1/R1+1/R2+1/R3. Resistance is measured in Ohms, and can also be found using R=V/I
Current: Current is the flow of electricity through a circuit, or a component of a circuit. It represents how much power is passing through a part, and is represented by an I. Current in parallel can be found using ITotal=I1+I2+I3. In parallel, the equation is ITotal=I1=I2=I3. Current is measured in Amps, and can also be found using I=V/R
Voltage: Voltage is the difference in electric potential between two points in a circuit. One can also think of it as the pressure on the electricity to move. Voltage is represented by a V. In series, it is calculated using VTotal=V1+V2+V3. In parallel, it is VTotal=V1=V2=V3. Voltage is measured in Volts, and can also be found using R=IV.
Below is the code for our demented Simon Says game. Note that it may not work, as we had problems with the randomizer near the end. As we don't know what caused this, we cannot say if it will occur again.
Reflections:
I feel that I did fairly well in this project, but that I also did fairly poorly on some parts. One thing I did well was troubleshooting. Even when Mr. Williams wasn't there to help, I could often figure out what I did wrong on my own. Another thing I was good at was understanding new concepts. Throughout this unit, there was a hands-on learning style, and it suited me very well. I appreciated being able to go at my pace, which was a naturally fast one. There are some things I did badly, however. One issue was my perseverance. While I would work hard for a long time, I found that if I got stuck for too long, I would lose interest and hope fairly quickly, which isn't good. Another thing I wasn't very good at was helping others. As I was the "ahead" kid, quite a few people asked me for help. Sadly, I never really knew how to solve their problems, and I always had to say "I don't know," and walk away. While this isn't entirely bad, as I truly didn't know the answer, I would really like to be able to help next time.
I feel that I did fairly well in this project, but that I also did fairly poorly on some parts. One thing I did well was troubleshooting. Even when Mr. Williams wasn't there to help, I could often figure out what I did wrong on my own. Another thing I was good at was understanding new concepts. Throughout this unit, there was a hands-on learning style, and it suited me very well. I appreciated being able to go at my pace, which was a naturally fast one. There are some things I did badly, however. One issue was my perseverance. While I would work hard for a long time, I found that if I got stuck for too long, I would lose interest and hope fairly quickly, which isn't good. Another thing I wasn't very good at was helping others. As I was the "ahead" kid, quite a few people asked me for help. Sadly, I never really knew how to solve their problems, and I always had to say "I don't know," and walk away. While this isn't entirely bad, as I truly didn't know the answer, I would really like to be able to help next time.