Arduino Foundations Flashcards
One of the world’s first computers
the Antikythera mechanism used simple arithmetic and geometry to calculate astronomical positions created by the Ancient Greeks
The difference machine
A complicated analog calculator envisioned and partially build by Charles Babbage in 1833, later completed by lovelace.
Enigma and Bombe devices
During World War II, Germans used the Enigma device to encrypt important military messages into a code that was unbreakable – or so they thought. The British used a computing device called the Bombe (1939) to decrypt these secret messages. The insights of Alan Turing were essential. Some believe Turing helped end the war and saved millions of lives. He certainly revolutionized computing. Though tragically he received no credit in his lifetime.
The Eniac
ENIAC (1945), the first true general computer, was funded by the United States to calculate the paths of missiles and help create the hydrogen bomb. ENIAC was the size of a room. It used mechanical and electrical components. While working with ENIAC, mathematician John von Neumann developed ideas about computing that have shaped computer design ever since; memory storage, information input and output, and binary code all have a debt to von Neumann.
First Microcontroller
Gary Boone, an engineer at the company Texas Instruments, is credited with the first single-chip microcontroller in 1971. Boone also played a part in the development of early microprocessors, a similar innovation.
Capacitor
Capacitor – A component that stores and releases electrical energy in a circuit. When the circuit’s voltage is higher than what is stored in the capacitor, it allows current to flow in, giving the capacitor a charge. When the circuit’s voltage is lower, the stored charge is released. Capacitors are often placed across power and ground close to a sensor or motor to help smooth changes in voltage. Capacitors are measured in farads. One farad is a lot of capacitance, so most capacitors are in the microfarad (0.000001 farads) or even picofarad (0.000000000001 farads) range.
Anode
Anode – The electrode or wire through which current enters a device, such as an LED, where current can flow only in one direction
Breadboard
Breadboard – A device used for prototyping electronic circuits that allows for easy connection of electronic components
Cathode
Cathode – The electrode or wire through which current exits a device, such as an LED, where current can flow only in one direction
Circuit
Circuit – A conductive path that electric current can flow through
Conductor
Conductor – A material that allows electrons to easily pass through it
Conductance
Conductance – A measure of how well a material allows electrons or electrical current to flow through it; measured in siemens
Current
Current – A measure of the number of electrons (or amount of charge) passing through a point in a circuit in a specific time; measured in amperes (amps)
Electron
Electron – A part of an atom that is negatively charged and can be passed from atom to atom, creating a flow of electricity
Insulator
Insulator – A material that resists the flow of electrons
Ohms law
Ohm’s law – A scientific law that states that voltage is directly proportional to current V = I • R
Prototype
Prototype – An initial model of a device that can be used for testing and modification from which the final product is developed
Resistance
Resistance – A measure of the opposition to the flow of electrons through a material; measured in ohms
Resistor
Resistor – An electronic component that reduces the current in a circuit
Voltage
Voltage – A measure of the difference in electrical energy between two points; measured in volts
Transistors designed in what year?
1947
Significance of the first transistor
Transistors began the modern electronics revolution. For the first time, we could control the movement of electrons.
They can be used to amplify signals, to build microchips, or as electronic switches. Transistors are used in computers, radios, televisions, phones, digital cameras, robots, and any other electronic device you could imagine.
How does a resistor work
Reduces the flow of electrons by converting a certain amount of electricity to heat.
electrical unit prefixes
Mega - Million Kilo - thousand milli - thousandth micro - millionth nano - billionth pico - trillionth
Color codes of Resistors
Black = 0 Brown = 1 Red = 2 Only = 3 Young = 4 Green = 5 Blue = 6 Purple = 7 Silver = 8 White = 9
Tollerance Bands of Resistor
Brown = 1% Red = 2% Gold = 3% Silver = 5%
Non polarized component
A resistor is considered a non-polarized component. That means it doesn’t matter which way the resistor faces in the circuit.
Load
anything in a circuit that requires electricity to work