Lesson Overview

The purpose of this lesson is to introduce students to the basic concepts of electronics, electrical circuits, and how programming is used to control and read physical devices. Students will learn:

• Concepts of power, electricity, current, and voltage

• Parts of an electrical circuit

• How to wire a simple motor circuit

Required Kit Supplies

• 1x Yellow DC motor

• 1x Barrel Jack terminal block

• 1x 9V to barrel jack connector

• 1x Barrel jack switch

• 1x 9V battery

Additional Required Supplies 

• None

Keywords

• Electrical Circuit: A closed loop of components in which electrical energy, also known as electricity, flows through. The parts of an electrical circuit include sensors, motors, connecting wires, and a power source, such as a battery.

  • Closed Circuit: A circuit in which all components are connected and properly linked to both power and ground.

  • Open Circuit: A circuit in which one or more components are not connected to power or ground, leaving it incomplete. In order to be functional, the open circuit must be closed.

• Voltage: The amount of electrical potential energy from one point to another in a circuit. A point that has a voltage of 5 volts (abbreviated to 5V) is considered to be 5V above a ground reference point. 

• Ground: A term used to describe 0V. Ground is used as a reference voltage for other components in a circuit.

• Power: Refers to something that supplies electrical energy to different components in a circuit. Devices that must be powered need both current and voltage to operate.

• Current: The movement of electricity through a circuit. Current only flows from a point of high voltage to a point of low voltage or ground.

• Resistance: The measure of a force that opposes (or resists) the flow of electric current in a circuit.

• Polarity: Refers to the direction of electrical flow in a circuit, and determines which terminal is positive (+) and which is negative (-). When we flip the polarity of an electrical component, we are switching the positive and negative wires of the component. 

Additional Resources

• More information about Ohm’s Law:

  • What is Ohm's Law: Definition, Formula, Graph & Limitations (geeksforgeeks.org)

• How a DC motor works

  • DC Motor, How It works | DC Advantages | Magnetic Innovations

  • DC Motor, How it works? - YouTube Kids

• Making digital electrical circuits

  • Tinkercad - From mind to design in minutes

    • Requires login

    • Introduction to Tinkercad Circuits & Breadboarding - Part 1 - YouTube