OPTIONAL CHALLENGE 26 · BASIC ELECTRONICS
A fan directs airflow unevenly. Controlling distance allows a comparison of position around the fan.
Turn electricity into motion
Your new skill: A fan directs airflow unevenly. Controlling distance allows a comparison of position around the fan.
Revisit the skill you will reuse: Previous main-path mission
Match the names to your parts before you build. New parts appear when you first need them. You can point, say the name or show a grown-up.
A battery supplies energy that can make a light glow or a motor turn. A holder keeps its connections in place.
Look for: Find the + and - marks and the matching holder or snap connector.
Before using it: Use only the supply named in this mission. Never join + straight to -; disconnect before rewiring.
Your turn: With power disconnected, trace the path from + through the parts and back to -.
A wire makes an electrical connection between two points. A clip lead grips a terminal.
Look for: Jumpers have small plug ends; clip leads have metal jaws. Colour helps us track a connection.
Before using it: Colour does not change a wire's job. Check both ends and keep bare metal away from other terminals.
Your turn: Follow one wire from start to finish and name what it joins.
A DC motor changes electrical energy into turning motion. A fitted fan moves air as it turns.
Look for: Find the motor shaft and two terminals. The fan must fit securely.
Before using it: Use only the verified AAA holder voltage within the motor rating. Keep fingers, hair and loose items away. Let the shaft stop before changing leads; do not stall it or touch it while running.
Your turn: Predict what changes if the motor leads are reversed. Test only when the mission tells you to.
A switch opens or closes a path and stays in the position you choose.
Look for: Find its labelled terminals and the ON and OFF positions.
Before using it: Keep an off-board switch outside the breadboard as instructed; use leads to its terminals. Rewire only with power disconnected.
Your turn: Move it to OFF, then trace the place where it stops the circuit path.
WHAT YOU'LL USE
Reuse kit parts between projects. Household materials are listed separately. Match every value, variant and rating before connecting power.
BEFORE YOU BUILD
Disconnect power before every change. Never join battery positive directly to negative. Keep the specified LED resistor in place. Keep metal out of mouths and away from mains sockets. Stop and ask an adult if any part becomes warm or smells unusual.
YOUR REWARD
PREDICT BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Predict the result before testing. You can say it, draw it or point. What evidence would change your prediction?
BEFORE YOU BUILD
Adult setup check: Project 25 guard and safe boundary validated. If this check cannot be confirmed on your actual parts, read and explore the concept only; do not power the build.
YOUR CHALLENGE
NEW POWER-UP
A fan directs airflow unevenly. Controlling distance allows a comparison of position around the fan.
Practise first: 25. Reuse the familiar circuit before changing one feature.
Three positions compared at the same distance and a labelled observation map.
A fan directs airflow unevenly. Controlling distance allows a comparison of position around the fan.
What stays fixed while the flag angle changes? Distance, flag, supply and fan direction.
CONNECTION MAP
BUILD PATH
STEP 1 OF 4
Mark three positions at equal distance outside the guard: front centre and two side positions.
A video demonstration will appear here when it is ready. You can follow the written step now.
Mark three positions at equal distance outside the guard: front centre and two side positions.
WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING?
A fan directs airflow unevenly. Controlling distance allows a comparison of position around the fan.
FAIR-TEST CHALLENGE
Change only the feature named in this project; keep the supply, parts and observation conditions the same. Repeat the comparison.
WHEN IT DOESN'T WORK YET
Likely cause: An open path, wrong node, polarity mismatch or a part variant that needs review.
Try this first: Check equal distances and room draughts; never insert the flag into the guard.
Likely cause: The setup needs adult inspection.
Try this first: Disconnect immediately. Do not retry until the fault is identified.
CLEAN, RESET AND STORE
Switch off and disconnect all power. Let moving parts stop. For capacitor projects, discharge through the 2.2 kΩ resistor for ten seconds with battery disconnected. Return loose parts to the box.