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Breadboarding
Breadboarding
Before we can start, you need to learn how to breadboard. Breadboarding works by connecting parts through rows. For this project, we'll also connect the Arduino.
Before we can start, you need to learn how to breadboard. Breadboarding works by connecting parts through rows. For this project, we'll also connect the Arduino.
In this example, the red wires are connected but the blue wires are not. This is because the electricity flows through rows, not columns. The electricity does not flow across the center gap.
In this example, the red wires are connected but the blue wires are not. This is because the electricity flows through rows, not columns. The electricity does not flow across the center gap.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
You'll also need to learn some basic terminology so that you can easily follow along.
You'll also need to learn some basic terminology so that you can easily follow along.
Ground or GND is what provides power to a component. You'll notice that the Arduino has a few. Every component that we will be using has one pin that is ground, such as the long pin on an LED.
Ground or GND is what provides power to a component. You'll notice that the Arduino has a few. Every component that we will be using has one pin that is ground, such as the long pin on an LED.
A pin is what outputs power to activate a part of a component, such as a color on an LED. These are labeled as 0 - 7 on the bottom of the side with the reset button on the Arduino.
A pin is what outputs power to activate a part of a component, such as a color on an LED. These are labeled as 0 - 7 on the bottom of the side with the reset button on the Arduino.
Look at your breadboard. You will notice a blue row on the side of the breadboard that is labeled with a "-". If you run a wire from GND to this row, any other wire you connect to it will get power. This is useful if you run out of GNDs on the Arduino and still need to connect things. We'll use this row a bit later.
Look at your breadboard. You will notice a blue row on the side of the breadboard that is labeled with a "-". If you run a wire from GND to this row, any other wire you connect to it will get power. This is useful if you run out of GNDs on the Arduino and still need to connect things. We'll use this row a bit later.
Practice
Practice
Now that you know the basics, it's time to practice.
Now that you know the basics, it's time to practice.
Place your Arduino and breadboard close by each other so that you can easily attach wires. Stick one side of a male to male wire into pin 7 on the Arduino and the other side into the breadboard. Stick another wire into ground on the Arduino and stick the other side one row away from the other wire on the breadboard. Then, grab an LED and find the long pin. Stick it into the breadboard, making sure that the long pin is in the same row as the wire that runs from ground. Make sure that the wire from pin 7 lines up with one of the other three pins on the LED. (See graphic below).
Place your Arduino and breadboard close by each other so that you can easily attach wires. Stick one side of a male to male wire into pin 7 on the Arduino and the other side into the breadboard. Stick another wire into ground on the Arduino and stick the other side one row away from the other wire on the breadboard. Then, grab an LED and find the long pin. Stick it into the breadboard, making sure that the long pin is in the same row as the wire that runs from ground. Make sure that the wire from pin 7 lines up with one of the other three pins on the LED. (See graphic below).
Now, copy and paste this code into the Arduino IDE.
Now, copy and paste this code into the Arduino IDE.
void setup() {
//Runs code once on start.
pinMode(7, OUTPUT);
}
void loop() {
//Runs code repeatedly.
digitalWrite(7, HIGH);
}
Then, click upload. Make sure the Arduino is plugged into the computer! You should see the LED light up.
Then, click upload. Make sure the Arduino is plugged into the computer! You should see the LED light up.
Challenges:
Challenges:
Can you change the color of the LED?
Can you change the color of the LED?
Can you make the LED flash?
Can you make the LED flash?
Hint: delay(100); and digitalWrite(7, LOW);
Hint: delay(100); and digitalWrite(7, LOW);
If you mess up, reupload the code above to the Arduino.
If you mess up, reupload the code above to the Arduino.
Challenge Answers
Challenge Answers
To change the color of the LED, move the red wire that goes into the breadboard sideways.
To change the color of the LED, move the red wire that goes into the breadboard sideways.
To make the LED flash, copy and paste this code into the Arduino IDE and upload it.
To make the LED flash, copy and paste this code into the Arduino IDE and upload it.
void setup() {
//Runs code once on start.
pinMode(7, OUTPUT);
}
void loop() {
//Runs code repeatedly.
digitalWrite(7, HIGH);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(7, LOW);
delay(100);
}
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
If the LED isn't lighting up, try these steps.
If the LED isn't lighting up, try these steps.
- Make sure the Arduino is plugged into the computer
- Make sure the code is uploaded
- Make sure the code doesn't have any errors
- Make sure you re-upload your code after changing it
- Make sure your connections are correct
If these tips don't work, try to troubleshoot online or contact us.
If these tips don't work, try to troubleshoot online or contact us.
Now that you know the basics, we can continue.
Now that you know the basics, we can continue.
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