Adding Components

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to add components to make an interactive motor controller. Let’s get started!

In the workplane, you’ll find a motor connected directly to a battery pack. When we start the simulator, the motor will begin to rotate!

Instructions

1. Click Start Simulation to start the motor. How fast is it spinning? Notice the text that displays the rotations per minute (rpm).
2. Continue to the next step.

Now, let’s make our circuit interactive by adding a sensor.

Instructions

1. Click + Components and search for a photoresistor.
2. Click on the photoresistor and add it to your circuit below the red wire. Rotate the photoresistor by clicking the rotate icon (or pressing R on your keyboard) so that the pins are facing up.
3. Delete the existing red wire by clicking on it and then clicking the trash icon (you can also press delete on your keyboard).
4. Wire the photoresistor so that one end is connected to the Positive end of the battery and the other is connected to Terminal 2 of the motor.
5. Continue to the next step.

A photoresistor works by sensing light. Let’s test how it works.

Instructions

1. Click Start Simulation.
2. Click on the photoresistor. You should now see a slider appear below your photoresistor.
3. Drag the slider from one side to another. Notice how the speed of the motor changes with more light!
4. Continue to the next step.

You’ve now learned how to add components and integrate a sensor into your circuits. Great job!

Continue Tinkering

• What happens to the speed of the motor when you adjust the number of AA batteries? Click on the AA battery to change the number of batteries in the inspector.
• Does the speed of the motor change when you change the battery type altogether? Try experimenting by replacing the AA battery with a Coin Cell Battery or the 9V battery and seeing how the rotations per minute (RPM) changes.