sensors

Question 1

Temperature

Answer 1

Measures the surrounding temperature by sending signals, the signals will change as the temp changes.

Question 2

Moisture

Answer 2

Measures water levels in, example soil

Question 3

Humidity

Answer 3

This measures the amount of water vapour in, for example, a sample of air

Question 4

Light

Answer 4

Light sensors are a type of photodetector (also called photosensors) that detect light

Question 5

Infrared(active)

Answer 5

These use an invisible beam of infrared radiation picked up by a detector, if the beam is broken, then there will be in the amount of infrared radiation reaching the detector(sensor)

Question 6

Infrared(passive)

Answer 6

These sensors measure the heat radiation given off by an object.

Question 7

Pressure

Answer 7

A transducer and generates different electric currents depending on the pressure applied

Question 8

Sound

Answer 8

These are basically microphones that convert detected sound into electric signals/pulses

Question 9

Gas

Answer 9

most common is oxygen and carbon dioxide sensors; they use various methods to detect gas being monitored and produce outpits and vary with the oxygen or carbon levels present

Question 10

pH

Answer 10

These measure the acidity through changes in voltages in, for example soil

Question 11

Magnetic field

Answer 11

These sensors measure changes in magnetic fields- the signal output will depend on how the magnetic field changes

Question 12

Accelerometer

Answer 12

Measures the acceleration and motion of an application; example change in velocity

Question 13

Proximity

Answer 13

These sensors detect the presence of a nearby object

Question 14

Flow(rate)

Answer 14

These sensors measure the flow rate of a moving liquid or gas and produce an output based on the amount of liquid or gas passing over the sensor

Question 15

Level

Answer 15

These sensors use electronics(to detect changing liquid levels in, for example, a tank) or capacitance/ conductivity (to measure static levels (for examples height of water in a river) - note, level sensors can also be optical or mechanical in nature.

Question 16

advantages of automated systems

Answer 16

-faster than humans taking any necessary action.
-safer if automated system is part of a hazardous system.
-system is more likely to run under optimum conditions
-less expensive in the long run/more energy efficient
-Can be a more effective use of materials and resources
-may increase overall productivity
-results are more consistent

Question 17

Disadvantages of automated systems

Answer 17

-often expensive to set up and purchase initially
-there is always the possibly for a set of conditions to occur which weren’t considered during the development stage.
-The constant fear of cyberattacks(hacks, viruses)
-Automated systems need enhanced maintenance to operate correctly; this can be very expensive.