Exploring UNO R3 Arduino Components ( very interesting)

Breadboards are workspaces where projects can be constructed into the holes on the breadboard and be tested. The breadboard has many holes into which circuit components like LEDs and resistors can be inserted. These components have long metal leads that are designed to be inserted through the holes of variety of parts. The breadboard can also be connected to other components through jumper wires.

Jumper wires

A jumper wire (also known as jumper, jumper cable, DuPont wire or cable) is a wire or a group of them that have pins at the end which can be connected to either the Arduino or breadboard and used in circuits. These wires are usually used to connect two components in a circuit like a resistor, LED or other components.

The ultrasonic sensor uses sound waves to determine the distance regardless of shape, color or surface texture of an object just like the bats do.

It works by sending sound waves from the transmitter, which then echo off of an object and then return to the sensor. You can determine how far away something is by the time it takes for the sound waves to get back to the sensor.

The potentiometer is a resistor and can be controlled using a knob or dial. The potentiometer provides a resistance which can be read as an analog value. The potentiometer is actually used in daily life, knobs that can control volume, brightness and temperature. In this case it can be used in projects to dim LEDs or brighten them, control volume or current flows using coding. 

The joystick module is made by connecting two potentiometers on top of each other at 90 degrees. They are also connected to a short stick with springs so, moving the joystick will cause the electricity to vary from 0 volts to 5 volts based on it direction. The modules are similar to analog joysticks. 

Micro Servo is a motor that can power high power circuits. You can control Servo motors with code. These motors are used for angular, linear position or acceleration. The motor can be positioned a specific direction with a coded signal They can be positioned between 0 and 180 degrees. Most Servo libraries can support up to 12 motors. They push parts of a machine with accuracy and precision. Some motors can even be set various speeds while rotating. 

The DHT11 is a digital temperature and humidity sensor and sends out a digital signal. It uses a humidity sensor and a thermistor to sense the air around it and provide data. It is a really a simple device that doesn’t need analog pins. It measures humidity by measuring electrodes and uses a change in the resistance of two electrodes to receive data of the humidity.

The stepper motor can be used for precise positions with a motor, like hard disks, robots, antennas and toys. They can’t run fast, but their torque can hold on longer. It is a motor that divides rotation into smaller steps and rotates in precise angles when voltage is supplied.

An IR receiver sends and decodes signals to another device. The receivers pick up infrared signals from other devices and decode the signal. It senses characteristics from its surroundings by emitting radiation or detecting it. They can also detect heat if its emitted by another device and can detect motion.  IT can detect up to 15 feet.

The stepper motor needs high current so, we can use the ULN2003 to control it just like the Arduino. The ULN2003 can consume high current and voltage and can gain more current than a transistor. In summary, it can control high current stepper motors with a microcontroller. 

The kit provides a 1-digit 7 segment display and a 4-digit 7 segment display to use in different projects. Different numerals can be projected in the segment display. However, the displays do need to be wired to work using the pins behind the display.

There are two kinds of buzzers : An active buzzer and a passive buzzer. An active buzzer makes a tone using an oscillator. So, we only need to provide voltage. A passive buzzer is slightly shorter but uses AC signals to make sounds. To find the passive buzzer, we have to check if the resistance of the buzzer is about 16 ohms.

The push button connects two components in a circuit after being pressed. With jumper wires and the legs, it makes a connection to the pin and ground. For example, you can turn on an LED when you press the button on top.

A photoresistor are light sensitive device used to measure light intensity, or find if there is light or not. It can be used in light-sensitive circuits and light switching circuits. 

Tilt ball switches can find motion. The tube has a metal ball that rolls around in it. They act like switches. The ball can move two pins from the instrument like on and off if they are in the correct angle. They are just like a mercury switch.

A diode rectifier is a device that changes alternating current into direct current. The diode only allows current passage in one direction. These diodes are important in projects or circuits to convert current voltage.

The NPN transistor passes current from the emitter. The emitter produces and discharges electrons in the base and controls the number of electrons produced. The NPN transistor has one P-type and two N-types which is how it got its name.

Thermistors can sense the temperature around you and are in everyday appliances like fire alarms and ovens. They change their resistance when the temperature changes. But even small temperature changes can disturb them. Some thermistors vary in measuring solid, liquid or gas. 

This the battery snap for the 9 volt battery given in the kit. The top can snap on to the battery leads and the two wires connect the energy to the component. The red is the positive wire and the black is negative. You can use the battery snap on circuits where you need extra voltage and with it you can’t be held back on using the battery in different circuits.