Robot Art Show
Project Description: Our driving question for this project was what art will be created when robots rule the world and all the humans are dead. However, before starting our project we conducted a number of experiments using the Arduino format. These experiments required us to use a multitude of different codes and electronics that made us more comfortable using the program. For this project my group used breadboards to create circuits. Breadboards are electronic devices that allow circuits to run when connections are made on its surface. In order to accomplish this task, we made a system called a circuit . A circuit is a connection made with conductive material to direct a current. Our group used a circuit to connect LED lights and a buzzer on the breadboard to a power source in order to play a song. When creating circuits our group used an assortment of electronics. Our project was conducted using wires, LED lights, resistors, and a buzzer. The wires were used to carry electricity from one side of the circuit to the other. We used the LED lights as a visual effect and the buzzer to play our song. The resistors were used to slow the current in order to keep the delicate system from short circuiting. In order to make these systems run we had to code the circuit in Arduino using a computer language similar to C++. In our final project, we coded the LED lights separately from the buzzer and then ordered it correctly for it to run smoothly. With all of these intricate parts in place our group was able to play the ¨Can Can¨ and ¨Despacito¨ from the buzzer on the breadboard.
Our Project in Action:
Our Project in Action:
Concepts:
Concept: Definition, equation, variable, notation, notes, relation to project. (some are not present for all concepts)
Coulomb´s Law: The relationship between charges used to find the force of attraction or repulsion between two charges, F=kq1q2/d^2, N=Newtons ,q=coulombs, k=8.99*109Nm^2/C^2 opposite forces attract while the same force repels, we used this equation to find the charge in the circuits we created.
Circuit: A complete loop of conductive material from one side of a power source to the other, we used circuits to route electricity to different places in order to preform tasks requiring electricity such as turning on an LED light.
Voltage: Potential energy difference from one side to the other the ¨push¨ or ¨drop¨, v=ir, v=Volts, voltage must add up around a series circuit, we had to calculate the voltage during our project to assure that the circuit would have enough electricity to preform the needed task.
Current: The ¨flow¨ of charge through a circuit, v=ir, i=current (measured in A=amps), current remains the same throughout a series circuit, wires were placed to route current to different spots on the breadboard.
Resistance: The amount the current is slowed through an obstacle, (series) rtot=r1+r2+r3...
(parallel) 1/rtot= 1/r1+ 1/r2+ 1/r3...., r=resistence, (measured in ohms (Greek omega symbol) ), we used resistance in our circuits by placing resistors so the battery would not short circuit.
Series Circuit: The components are one after another in a loop, we used series when connecting many different components.
Parallel Circuits: The components are on separate paths and current can go on any path, the current will follow the path of least resistance, we used a parallel circuit in our final project to separate the components because we coded the buzzer and led lights separately.
Power: The rate at which electrical energy is transferred by a circuit, P=iv P=i^2r, P=power, (measured in W=watts) W=J/s (watts equals joules per second), power was an essential part of our project when deciding where to place the wires.
Concept: Definition, equation, variable, notation, notes, relation to project. (some are not present for all concepts)
Coulomb´s Law: The relationship between charges used to find the force of attraction or repulsion between two charges, F=kq1q2/d^2, N=Newtons ,q=coulombs, k=8.99*109Nm^2/C^2 opposite forces attract while the same force repels, we used this equation to find the charge in the circuits we created.
Circuit: A complete loop of conductive material from one side of a power source to the other, we used circuits to route electricity to different places in order to preform tasks requiring electricity such as turning on an LED light.
Voltage: Potential energy difference from one side to the other the ¨push¨ or ¨drop¨, v=ir, v=Volts, voltage must add up around a series circuit, we had to calculate the voltage during our project to assure that the circuit would have enough electricity to preform the needed task.
Current: The ¨flow¨ of charge through a circuit, v=ir, i=current (measured in A=amps), current remains the same throughout a series circuit, wires were placed to route current to different spots on the breadboard.
Resistance: The amount the current is slowed through an obstacle, (series) rtot=r1+r2+r3...
(parallel) 1/rtot= 1/r1+ 1/r2+ 1/r3...., r=resistence, (measured in ohms (Greek omega symbol) ), we used resistance in our circuits by placing resistors so the battery would not short circuit.
Series Circuit: The components are one after another in a loop, we used series when connecting many different components.
Parallel Circuits: The components are on separate paths and current can go on any path, the current will follow the path of least resistance, we used a parallel circuit in our final project to separate the components because we coded the buzzer and led lights separately.
Power: The rate at which electrical energy is transferred by a circuit, P=iv P=i^2r, P=power, (measured in W=watts) W=J/s (watts equals joules per second), power was an essential part of our project when deciding where to place the wires.
Power Novato
Project Description: Our objective for this project was to find a better solution to power the entire city of Novato, California. We decided to convert the dam at Stafford Lake to be able to produce hydroelectric power. Before deciding on our final project we did several experiments on electricity and motors/generators. The first experiment involved designing and building a miniature wind turbine. We tested multiple aspects of the design and then measured the voltage produced to view the effectiveness of the design. This experiment was important because it gave us an idea as to how power is produced. Our next two projects involved electromagnets and electric fields. We created electromagnets by running electricity through copper wire and balancing it over a magnet. This made it spin and replicated the mechanics of a motor. The other experiment involved us wrapping a nail with copper wire and then running a current through it causing it to pick up metal objects creating a magnetic force. This project gave us an idea as to how electricity interacts with other materials. Our last and final experiment was taking apart a motor and inspecting the inner workings. This taught us how a motor operates and helped us understand how power is produced. These four experiments helped us when constructing our final project and gave us an inside look into the world of energy production.
powernovato.pdf | |
File Size: | 142 kb |
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Concepts:
Generator: A machine that use mechanical energy to produce electricity.
Motor: A machine that uses electricity to produce mechanical energy.
Hydroelectric Power: A form of clean power that uses the potential energy of water to produce electricity.
Kilowatt: A measurement of power equal to 1,000 watts.
Turbine: A machine that produces power by revolving do to a current of air, water, etc.
Mechanical Energy: The energy associated with the motion and position of an object.
Generator: A machine that use mechanical energy to produce electricity.
Motor: A machine that uses electricity to produce mechanical energy.
Hydroelectric Power: A form of clean power that uses the potential energy of water to produce electricity.
Kilowatt: A measurement of power equal to 1,000 watts.
Turbine: A machine that produces power by revolving do to a current of air, water, etc.
Mechanical Energy: The energy associated with the motion and position of an object.
Reflection
Working with my team for these two projects had its peaks and pits. We excelled in time management and productivity but we needed to improve the distribution of work and communication. When working on the project we were always on schedule and never fell behind. This showed when we were the one of the first groups to start on our project after finishing our circuit experiment. We also were very productive and did not waste a minute. For example, we were able to code a second song with our remaining time. However, our work contribution was uneven because one of our group members did all of the coding and research, while my other group mate and I tried to help with smaller tasks. Our communication was challenged as we often argued and had to take time to discuss our next move. For instance, we took an entire class period bickering about which power source to choose before coming to a decision. Despite our struggles and triumphs, our group was able to create two great projects that showed our ability to work together.