The Ohm Depot

In this project, we learned about voltage, current, resistance, and power. We leanred about these things in the Household Energy Usage Gizmo. We also learned how to find these variables using a multimeter. We used Snap Circuits to practice using the multimeter. Snap Circuits is a safe way to make circuits and experiment with different electronics in a simple, connectable way. 

Gizmo - Household Energy Usage Gizmo

We started off this project by using the Household Energy Usage Gizmo. We went into different virtual rooms and found out how much energy common household appliances, use as well as voltage and current. I learned the difference in the amount of power different lights use. I learned how much these lights cost, too. I used this kowledge to find out which was the most cost efficient light to use. I used the Gizmo to find out the daily energy consumption of a few different objects. With this information, I found out which appliances were the "energy hogs" in the house. 

Snap Circuits

Snap Circuits is and easy way to create different circuits. Each electronic comes in a plastic, snap-able, build-able piece, that is safe and much easier to use than real electronic. We used Snap Circuits to practice using a multimeter. A multimeter is a device that can measure many different varibles, but we used them to measure voltage and current. We first built the circuit, "Batteries in Series", whose picture is below. We measured the voltage and current of the electronics in this circuit and calculated resistance and power. What would adding another battery have on these values? Adding another battery would increase these values, because more power would be supplied to each electronic. I then built the circuit, "Batteries in Parallel". The batteries were placed in a different position than the "Batteries in Series". Why might you want to use batteries in series? You can power more of your circuit in a continuous flow, almost a circle. Why might you want to use batteries in parallel? More power would be supplied to the individual pieces of the ciruict, and not necessarily shared in a flow. I then built the "Lamps in Series and Parallel" circuits. These circuits have batteries in series and in parallel, as the name suggests. Is there a difference in brightness between the bulbs in series and in parallel? The bulbs in parallel are brighter than the bulbs in series, because each battery supplies a different lamp, therefore more power is going to each. I then built the "Sharing Energy" circuit. I built the same circuit, which includes a fan motor, but on one, I had the fan blades on, and on the other I did not. Is there a difference with and without the fan blades? The fan with blades moves significantly slower than the fan without blades. The lamp in the circuit with the blades also shines brighter than the lamp in the circuit without blades. This is becuase more power is being supplied to the fan without blades, leaving less for the lamp. The fan with blades is slowed and more power is given to the lamp. Lastly, I built two ciruits, both with a fan motor, one with a lamp and another without a lamp. What effecxt does adding a lamp have on the speed of the motor turning the fan blades? The fan turns slower because the same amount of power is being used to power two different electronics. A button was also added to the circuit with a lamp. The button switch bypasses the lamp. What happens to the motor when it is pressed, and why does this happen? The fan speeds up and the light turns off. The power is all going towards the fan, and not the lamp.

Problems I Faced While Working With 

Snap Circuits

The Snap Circuits were extremely easy to use, but they were very unorganized. In the Charlotte Latin Fablab, we were given acsess to multiple different Snap Circuit kits. With many people using them, parts went missing. When I would go to create a circuit, most times the kit I grabbed would not include the parts I needed. I had to go through other kits to find the parts I needed. This inconvienience set me back a few minutes whenever I went to build with them.