OPTIONAL CHALLENGE 02 · BASIC ELECTRONICS
Can you make the same motor turn the opposite way without changing the motor?
Optional · Try Another Angle
Your new skill: Extend a main-path idea without making the course longer.
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 -.
This reusable building board joins some holes with hidden metal strips, so we can connect parts without soldering.
Look for: Find the centre gap, row numbers and power rails. The gap separates the two halves.
Before using it: Five holes in one numbered strip usually join; the strip across the gap does not. Some power rails have a break. Match your board diagram.
Your turn: Point to two holes on the same connected strip, then two that are separated by the gap.
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 resistor limits current in a path. Beside our LED it helps protect the light from too much current. Its resistance is measured in ohms.
Look for: Look for a small body with two legs and coloured bands; match its labelled value to the mission.
Before using it: A resistor can face either way. Values such as 1 kΩ and 10 kΩ are different: k means one thousand. Keep the specified value.
Your turn: Point to the resistor in the LED path. Explain why replacing it with a plain wire is not our test.
An LED turns electrical energy into light and works in one direction. We use it to show what a circuit is doing.
Look for: An untrimmed ordinary LED often has a longer anode leg and a shorter cathode leg. A flat rim often marks the cathode.
Before using it: Confirm polarity with the part card if legs are trimmed. Use the mission's resistor in series; never connect an LED straight across the battery.
Your turn: With power off, identify the two legs and point to its protective resistor.
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 ruler measures distance. A timer measures elapsed time. Your paper records a prediction and result so you can compare tests.
Look for: Find the cm marks or the timer display and a place to draw or write.
Before using it: Use the same start point and method each time. You can say, point or draw your evidence instead of writing long answers.
Your turn: Choose the mark where the first measurement will begin.
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. Breadboard. This reusable building board joins some holes with hidden metal strips, so we can connect parts without soldering. Find the centre gap, row numbers and power rails. The gap separates the two halves. Five holes in one numbered strip usually join; the strip across the gap does not. Some power rails have a break. Match your board diagram. 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. Resistor. A resistor limits current in a path. Beside our LED it helps protect the light from too much current. Its resistance is measured in ohms. Look for a small body with two legs and coloured bands; match its labelled value to the mission. A resistor can face either way. Values such as 1 kΩ and 10 kΩ are different: k means one thousand. Keep the specified value. LED or light emitting diode. An LED turns electrical energy into light and works in one direction. We use it to show what a circuit is doing. An untrimmed ordinary LED often has a longer anode leg and a shorter cathode leg. A flat rim often marks the cathode. Confirm polarity with the part card if legs are trimmed. Use the mission's resistor in series; never connect an LED straight across the battery. 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. Ruler timer and evidence sheet. A ruler measures distance. A timer measures elapsed time. Your paper records a prediction and result so you can compare tests. Find the cm marks or the timer display and a place to draw or write. Use the same start point and method each time. You can say, point or draw your evidence instead of writing long answers. 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
Switch OFF and disconnect the 2xAA holder before moving either motor lead. Never reverse wires while the fan is moving.
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
SKILL BRIDGE
You already know: you can run the motor safely New power-up: polarity controls DC motor direction This prepares you for: using sensors to control circuits automatically
CONNECTION MAP
BUILD PATH
STEP 1 OF 8
Run your verified Make a Motor Spin Safely circuit briefly and draw an arrow showing the original direction.
A video demonstration will appear here when it is ready. You can follow the written step now.
Run your verified Make a Motor Spin Safely circuit briefly and draw an arrow showing the original direction.
WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING?
A simple DC motor changes direction when current through it is reversed. The motor stayed the same; only the direction of current changed.
Reversing motor direction is important in toy cars, robots, automatic doors and lifting systems.
WHEN IT DOESN'T WORK YET
Likely cause: The same wires returned to the same terminals
Try this first: Power off and swap the two motor connections.
Likely cause: Blade may not grip the shaft in reverse
Try this first: Stop and ask an adult to secure or remove the blade.
Likely cause: A connection is loose
Try this first: Reconnect both terminals firmly.
CLEAN, RESET AND STORE
Switch off and disconnect all power. Let moving parts stop. Put the parts back in their kit compartments.