Instruction Guide: Circuits and Switches
Thislessondelves into the technology behind circuits and switches - the building blocks of the NXT electronic components.
- Review the Circuits and Switches worksheet with students before watching the Intel Video: Circuits and Switches
- Have student take notes during video
The Four Parts of a Circuit
Demo a simple circuit with a small lamp and recap video:
- Power Source – battery in demo circuit
§ Conducting Path – wires in demo circuit
§ Switch – mechanical switch in demo circuit
§ Load – lamp in demo circuit
o Ask students for other examples of circuits in their lives
o Give an example circuit and ask student to identify the four parts. For example:
§ Headlights in a car
§ Electric toothbrush
§ MP3 player (ipod)
Insulators, Conductors and Semiconductors
o Demo simple circuit with small lamp and recap video:
§ Conductor – the wires
§ Insulator – plastic coating on wires
o Swap lamp in demo circuit for LED
§ Show the LED only lights when connected one way to power source
§ LED is semiconductor – only conducts electricity under certain conditions
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