Arduino Electronics Guide: Understanding Basic Components and Concepts

Resistors

• Longer side on positive
• Limit current through circuit
• Measured in ohms (Ω)

Voltage, Current, and Resistance

• Voltage (V): Exerted force to push electricity
• Current (I): Amount of electricity pushed (measured in Amps)
• Resistance (R): Constraints on the flow of electricity
• V = I*R, R=V/I, I=V/R

Diodes

• Act as stop-gap gates
• Ensure electron flow in intended direction

Motors

• Regular DC motors: Spin at various speeds
• Servo motors: Directional control, moving arm from controllable positions

Serial Communications

• Used to print values to Serial Monitor
• Good for troubleshooting

LEDs

• Light Emitting Diodes
• Light up when required forward voltage is found
• Intensity of light depends on current flow

Photodiodes

• Trip to reception of light, not emission of it
• Basics of solar power, cameras, etc.

Capacitors

• Temporary store for current
• Store current until fully charged, then release it

Transistors

• Replicate basic logic in electrical form
• Control between saturation, cut-off, active, and reverse
• Act as logic gates at right voltage

Arduino Board and IDE

• Arduino board (Uno model most common)
• Arduino IDE software: Enables coding to control Arduino

Integrated Circuits (ICs)

• Keystone of modern electronics
• Heart and brains of most circuits