Chapter 1: Introduction, Supplies, and Circuit Diagrams
Introduction
o Safety considerations (note: all projects run off coin cell batteries which have minimal risk)
Tools and Materials
o Master supply list
Reading Circuit Diagrams
Chapter 2: Paper Circuits
What is electricity?
An overview of electricity, including AC vs DC
Current and Voltage
Make a circuit
Project: coin cell + LED
Basic parts of a circuit: power source, power sink, conductors
Electrical Flow and Polarity
Project: coin cell + LED + conductive tape
Series and Parallel Circuits
How current and voltage behave in series and in parallel circuits
Project: coin cell + 2 LEDs + conductive tape in series
Project: coin cell + 2 LEDs + conductive tape in parallel
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Project: coin cell + 2 or more LEDs of different colors
Going Further
Ideas on how to apply these concepts to projects, like light-up greeting cards and adding lights to dollhouses or model trains
Bonus Project 1: Using a Multimeter
Overview of multimeters
Measuring Voltage
Measuring Current
Measuring continuity
Chapter 3: Breadboards and Outputs
Brief history of breadboards -- why we use them and where they came from
Breadboard anatomy
Breadboarding: Lights on!
o Project: coin cell + LED on breadboard
o Project: coin cell + 2 LEDs on breadboard
In series
In parallel
Making Sounds
Overview of how speakers and buzzers work
Project: coin cell + buzzer on breadboard
Digging into motors
Overview of how different types of DC motors work
Project: coin cell + motor on breadboard
Project: Motor (in reverse) + LED
Going Further
Project: coin cell +2 different output devices on breadboard
Ideas for how to apply these concepts to projects, like Brush Bots, a mini alarm system, or a mini lamp
Chapter 4: Passive Components
Resistance: How to limit electricity
General overview of resistance
Project: coin cell + LED + resistor 1
Project: coin cell + LED + resistor 2
Varying resistance with potentiometers
Project: coin cell + LED + potentiometer (wiring option 1)
Project: coin cell + LED + potentiometer (wiring option 2)
How potentiometers work (inner diagram)
Capacitors: quick bursts of current
General overview of capacitors
Project: coin cell + LED + capacitor 1
Project: coin cell + LED + capacitor 2
Safety considerations for large capacitors (note: educational only, readers will NOT be using large capacitors)
Going Further
Project: coin cell + 2 LEDs + potentiometer
Project: coin cell + LED + 2 or more resistors
How to apply these findings to projects, like long-lasting wearables, motor speed control, and volume control
Bonus Project 2: Ohm's Law
Introduction to Ohm's Law
Using a multimeter to measure resistance
Example Projects (readers guided through the procedure)
Practice Projects (answers provided in back of the book)
Chapter 5: Electromechanical Components
Turning electricity on and off
Temporary switches: 2-Legged Pushbuttons
Overview of how pushbuttons work
Project: coin cell + LED + pushbutton
Permanent Switches: Slide switches
Overview of how slide switches work
Project: coin cell + LED + pushbutton
Project: coin cell + 2 LEDs + pushbutton
Going Further
Digging deeper into switches
4-legged pushbuttons
Electrical contact terminology: contact states (Normally Closed, NC, and Normally Open, NO)
How to apply these findings to projects, like a mini stop light, a simple Morse code system, or hand-made custom switches with household objects
Chapter 6: Logic Gates, Pt. 1
Analog and Digital signals: Records vs CDs
AND Logic Gate
Project: coin cell + LED + 2 pushbuttons
OR Logic Gate
Project: coin cell + LED + 2 pushbuttons
Using Binary Numbers to analyze logic gates
NOT Logic Gate
Project: coin cell + LED + pushbutton
Going Further
Using logic gates to explore the flow of electricity
NAND and NOR gates
How to apply these findings to projects, like using switches to make decisions
Chapter 7: Simple Sensors
Overview of sensors
Common types of inputs
Light Sensors: Photoresistors
Overview on photoresistors
Project: coin cell + LED + photoresistor
Project: coin cell +
Force Sensing Resistors (FSRs)
Overview on FSRs
Project: coin cell + LED + FSR
IR Breakbeam sensors
Overview on IR sensors
Project: coin cell + LED + IR
Tilt Sensors
Overview on tilt sensors
Project: coin cell + LED + tilt sensor
Going Further
Other types of simple sensors
How to apply these findings to project, like touch-sensitive sounds and light displays, simple security systems, and simple orientation detectors
Chapter 8: Transistors
Overview of Transistors
Intro to semiconductors
Overview of common transistor types
Pin Overview
Transistor Switch Circuit
Project: coin cell + LED + resistor + transistor
Project: coin cell + motor + resistor + transistor
Transistor Amplifier Circuit
Project: 2 coin cells + LED + resistor + transistor
Project: 2 coin cells + motor + resistor + transistor
Going Further
Connecting a potentiometer
Connecting a switch
How to apply these findings to project, like a dark detecting circuit
Chapter 9: Logic Gates, Pt. 2
Introduction to Physical Computing
Truth Tables
AND Logic Gate with Transistors
Project: coin cell, LED, 2 pushbuttons, 3 resistors, 2 transistors
Truth Table
OR Logic Gate with Transistors
Project: coin cell, LED, 2 pushbuttons, 3 resistors, 2 transistors
Truth Table
NOT Logic Gate with Transistors
Project: coin cell, LED, pushbutton, resistor, transistor
Going Further
NAND. NOR, XOR, and XNOR Logic Gates
Truth Tables
Two or more Logic Gates
How to apply these findings to project, like a 2-, 3-, or 4-bit adder
Bonus Project 3: PCB Component Identification
Introduction to Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs)
Electronic and tool safety
Recommended electronics to explore
Electronic toys, keyboards, old desktop or laptop computers, remote controls, etc.
What to avoid
What kinds of parts are reasonable to harvest and repurpose
Look Inside: Electronic Toy
Look Inside: Keyboard
Going Further
How to apply these findings to projects, like toy mash ups, electronic instruments, and as an affordable source for motors
Chapter 10: Electromagnetic Components
Overview of Electromagnets
Faraday's Law
Project: Build a simple electromagnet
Motors
Overview
Project: Build a simple motor
Speaker
Overview
Project: Build a simple speaker
Going Further
How to incorporate these findings to projects, like using a motor to generate electricity, using a speaker as a microphone, and creating wireless electrical transmission
Chapter 11: Topics for Further Exploration
Integrated Circuits
Other types of electromechanical components
Relays, Solenoids
Microcontrollers and microprocessors
Appendix I: Circuit Component Technical Specifications
Goal: This appendix provides technical specifications for all electronic components used for projects outlined in this book.
Example technical specification for coin cell battery:
Appendix II: Ohm's Law and the Power Law
Audience: Beginner