Physics(electricity) project help

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In summary: The car should be able to move forwards and backwards, turn, and have additional features. However, they are facing an issue with connecting the circuit correctly to achieve the desired movements. They currently have 4 switches, 2 for each motor, and they are using one switch to make the motor go forwards and the other to make it go backwards. They need help understanding how to properly connect the circuit. One solution is to use DPDT switches, which have an on-off-on action that is easy to use. The battery's positive and negative ends should be connected to the
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recon9
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Hello, I am in grade 12 physics and we have to make a project using electricity then explain it to a bunch of grade 5ers. Me and my friend are making a small car with tether and then a controller. We want it to be able to go forwards/backwards and turn, plus have some other gizmos on it. Our first problem is that we can't seem to hook up the circuit correctly to get the forward/reverse. How we have it set up is with 4 switches, 2 for each motor. One switch to make a motor go forwards and the other to make it go backwards. Then use forwards on one motor and reverse on the other to turn. Could some one please explain how to hook up this circuit? Thanks.
 
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Ok, you hopefully have the correct switches (for your case a DPST or DPDT would work) so assuming you have those switches its easy to hook up. I'll give the example with DPDT that has a on-off-on action as its foolproof for the driver of the car. This could also be done a pair of DPST switches but if both were on at the same time they would short out the battery.

You have your battery + & - and wire each one to a 'pole' (pivot) part of the switch. Now you wire up the motor leads to one side of the contacts and the other contacts but flip around the polarity. When you move the switch one way the motor spins one way, and moving the switch the other way reverses the polarity so the motor spins the other way. Here's the second link I found in google, plenty more are out there but this one is pretty clear:
http://www.eleinmec.com/article.asp?12

Other switches could be made to work as well, but they might require more forethought into making the appropriate connections. Drawing this out on a sheet of paper helps a lot. Many possibilities exist for how to get this done and depends on the parts you have access to. Good luck. :)

Cliff
 
  • #3


Hi there,

It sounds like you have a fun and challenging project ahead of you! Creating a small car with a tether and controller is a great way to demonstrate the principles of electricity to younger students.

In order to get your car to go forwards and backwards, you will need to use a motor controller. This is a device that will allow you to control the speed and direction of your motors. The motor controller will have four inputs, one for each motor, and two outputs, one for forwards and one for reverse.

To hook up your circuit correctly, you will need to connect the positive and negative terminals of your battery to the motor controller. Then, connect the positive and negative terminals of each motor to the corresponding inputs on the motor controller. Finally, use the switches to connect the outputs of the motor controller to the positive and negative terminals of each motor.

For example, when you want the car to go forwards, you would flip the switch for the positive output on the motor controller, which would send a positive charge to the positive terminal of the motor, causing it to spin forward. When you want the car to go backwards, you would flip the switch for the negative output on the motor controller, which would send a negative charge to the positive terminal of the motor, causing it to spin backwards.

To make your car turn, you will need to use a technique called differential steering. This means that one motor will spin faster than the other, causing the car to turn in the desired direction. To make the car turn left, you would use the forward switch on the left motor and the reverse switch on the right motor. To make the car turn right, you would use the forward switch on the right motor and the reverse switch on the left motor.

I hope this explanation helps you with your circuit. Best of luck with your project and have fun teaching the grade 5ers about electricity!
 

1. What is electricity and how does it work?

Electricity is a form of energy that results from the movement of electrons. These electrons flow through conductive materials, such as wires, creating an electric current. This movement of electrons is caused by a difference in electrical potential, also known as voltage. When a circuit is closed, the electrons will flow from an area of high electrical potential to an area of low electrical potential, creating the flow of electricity.

2. What are the basic components of an electrical circuit?

An electrical circuit consists of three main components: a source of electrical energy, such as a battery, a conductor, such as a wire, and a load, which is the device that uses the electrical energy, such as a light bulb or motor. These components work together to create a closed loop for the flow of electricity.

3. How do you calculate the voltage, current, and resistance in a circuit?

The relationship between voltage, current, and resistance is described by Ohm's Law: V = I x R, where V is voltage in volts (V), I is current in amperes (A), and R is resistance in ohms (Ω). To calculate the voltage, you would divide the current by the resistance. To calculate the current, you would divide the voltage by the resistance. And to calculate the resistance, you would divide the voltage by the current.

4. What are the differences between series and parallel circuits?

In a series circuit, all components are connected in a single loop, meaning that the current flows through each component in sequence. In a parallel circuit, the components are connected in branches, with the current splitting and flowing through each branch. In a series circuit, the voltage is divided between each component, while in a parallel circuit, the voltage is the same across all components. Additionally, the total resistance in a series circuit is equal to the sum of the individual resistances, while in a parallel circuit, the total resistance is less than the smallest individual resistance.

5. What is the difference between AC and DC electricity?

AC (alternating current) electricity is the type of electricity that is supplied by power plants and used in our homes. It constantly changes direction, or alternates, in a sinusoidal wave pattern. DC (direct current) electricity flows in one direction only and is commonly used in batteries. AC electricity can be easily converted to DC using a device called a rectifier, while DC electricity can be converted to AC using an inverter.

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