MISSION 07 · BASIC ELECTRONICS
Can invisible electrical energy create visible spinning motion?
4 · Make It Respond
Your new skill: Turn electricity into controlled motion using the separate AA supply.
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 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.
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 the named motor supply. Keep fingers, hair and loose items away; let it stop before changing leads. Never power a motor from an Uno signal pin.
Your turn: Predict what changes if the motor leads are reversed. Test only when the mission tells you to.
A video demonstration will appear here when it is ready. You can follow the written step now.
Before we build, match these names to the parts in front of you. Battery and holder. A battery supplies energy that can make a light glow or a motor turn. A holder keeps its connections in place. Find the + and - marks and the matching holder or snap connector. Use only the supply named in this mission. Never join + straight to -; disconnect before rewiring. Jumper wire and clip lead. A wire makes an electrical connection between two points. A clip lead grips a terminal. Jumpers have small plug ends; clip leads have metal jaws. Colour helps us track a connection. Colour does not change a wire's job. Check both ends and keep bare metal away from other terminals. ON OFF switch. A switch opens or closes a path and stays in the position you choose. Find its labelled terminals and the ON and OFF positions. Keep an off-board switch outside the breadboard as instructed; use leads to its terminals. Rewire only with power disconnected. DC motor and fan. A DC motor changes electrical energy into turning motion. A fitted fan moves air as it turns. Find the motor shaft and two terminals. The fan must fit securely. Use the named motor supply. Keep fingers, hair and loose items away; let it stop before changing leads. Never power a motor from an Uno signal pin. Pause and point to the part that will do the main job in this mission. If it is missing or looks different, ask a grown-up before building.
WHAT YOU'LL USE
Kit list: match the named parts to your box and its component cards. Home list: gather these before starting; some may also be supplied in your kit. Reuse components between missions. Stop and ask a grown-up if an essential part or label is missing.
BEFORE YOU BUILD
Use the 2xAA holder only. Never connect the motor to the 9V battery. Keep the switch outside the breadboard and use male-to-male jumper leads. Secure the fan before power.
YOUR REWARD
PREDICT BEFORE YOU BEGIN
What do you think will happen? Say it, point to it or draw it. Then test your idea.
YOUR CHALLENGE
NEW POWER-UP
Turn electricity into controlled motion using the separate AA supply.
You already know: a switch can control a complete path New power-up: motors, moving-part safety and electrical-to-mechanical energy This prepares you for: reversing current direction
CONNECTION MAP
BUILD PATH
STEP 1 OF 8
Place the motor in a clear area where the fan cannot touch the table, fingers, hair, paper or wires.
A video demonstration will appear here when it is ready. You can follow the written step now.
Place the motor in a clear area where the fan cannot touch the table, fingers, hair, paper or wires.
WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING?
Inside the motor, electricity creates magnetic forces that turn the shaft. The motor changes electrical energy into mechanical motion.
Motors power fans, toys, pumps, printers, robots and many household machines.
FAIR-TEST CHALLENGE
Change one feature, keep the rest the same and repeat your comparison.
WHEN IT DOESN'T WORK YET
Likely cause: Loose wire, switch OFF or open path
Try this first: Check the battery, switch and both motor terminals.
Likely cause: Fan blocked or rubbing
Try this first: Power off and clear the blade.
Likely cause: Possible short or stalled motor
Try this first: Disconnect immediately and ask an adult to inspect it.
CLEAN, RESET AND STORE
Switch off and disconnect all power. Let moving parts stop. Put the parts back in their kit compartments.
NEXT SKILL
Make an input control an output without your hand.