Lab Report 1

Experiment Recap

In class we were taught the basic layout of a breadboard, as well as the process of attaching a voltage source to start running current through different loads on the breadboard. The first circuit we assembled was a circuit that lights an LED that consisted of a voltage source, a resistor, and an LED. The positive terminal of the battery was connected to the red strip on the edge of the breadboard, and the negative terminal was connected to the blue "ground" strip. The resistor was connected from a point on the red strip to a point in the same row, and the LED was connected from another point in the same row to the ground strip, effectively completing the circuit. We also made a similar circuit that inserted a potentiometer in between the red strip and the resistor, which allowed us to adjust the resistance of the circuit, and therefore the amount of voltage reaching the LED. This class was my first introduction to working with physical circuits, and though I had some trouble keeping track of all of my parts, I found it not too difficult and fairly satisfying once I got it to work. Of course, these circuits were extremely simple, so I look forward to more complex and challenging circuits in the future.

Questions

What are the conductive paths on the bread board?
The red strip and the ground strips run up and down each edge and all points on these strips are connected to all other points on the same strip. All points on each row are connected as well, but the rows aren't connected with eachother.

What are some easy mistakes to make with breadboards?

From my limited experience, it seems that it can be difficult to remember the flow of current within the breadboard. I tried to connect the potentiometer all along the same row instead of across three different rows, and I also know you have to keep in mind the direction of an LED, as it only accepts electricity if it's input through a specific side.

How can you make a button or switch out of two wires connected to the breadboard?

You can make a button or switch by having one wire attached from the red strip to a row, and the other wire attached from a point in the same row to the ground. When you disconnect any end of either strip, it breaks the circuit, effectively acting as a button or switch. 

Why was the resistor connected before the LED?

LED's can only handle a certain amount of voltage before they are damaged. The resistor causes a voltage drop in the current before it reaches the LED to ensure a dangerous amount of voltage doesn't pass through it.

Final Project Progress

Favorites

Malakai
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VqRxa1ohw4

Tom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpL-BDLvRVo

Jake C
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc4eHqzw9Dg&list=UUwDh2OuqUb-n6f1cAxyC_wA

Other Ideas

Vintage Drum Machine Replica
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1871fozlMSk

ResoDrums
http://www.instructables.com/id/ResoDrum/

Electronic Sitar
http://nicksworldofsynthesizers.com/stringresonator.php