Robotics and Electronics Essentials (Lessons 1-5)

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering robotics basics, components, flowcharts, safety practices, common electronics tools, and buzzer/Arduino concepts drawn from the provided notes.

Robotics

Interdisciplinary field combining mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering to design machines that perform tasks autonomously or semi-autonomously.

Industrial Robots

Robots used in manufacturing operations, such as welding arms in factories.

Service Robots

Robots that assist humans in daily tasks, e.g., hospital assistants and cleaning robots.

Medical Robots

Robotic systems used in medicine, including surgical robots like the Da Vinci system.

Military Robots

Robots used for security tasks such as surveillance and bomb disposal.

Educational Robots

Robots used to teach STEM concepts in classrooms and labs.

Sensor

A device that detects physical quantities (e.g., light, temperature, distance) and provides signals to the robot.

Controller

The processing unit that runs robot software and coordinates hardware.

Actuator

A component that converts electrical energy into motion, enabling movement (e.g., motors, hydraulics).

Power Supply

Provides electrical power to the robot's components and subsystems.

End Effector

The tool at the end of a robotic arm that interacts with the environment (gripper, welder, etc.).

Tinkercad

A circuit simulation tool used to build and test electronic projects; supports block-based and text-based coding.

Flowchart

A diagram using standardized symbols to represent steps in a process and the flow of control.

Oval (Flowchart Start/End)

Symbol representing the start or end point of a flowchart.

Rectangle (Flowchart Process)

Symbol representing a process step in a flowchart.

Diamond (Flowchart Decision)

Symbol representing a decision point that branches the flow based on a condition.

Arrow (Flow Direction)

Line or arrow indicating the direction of flow in a flowchart.

Algorithm

A step-by-step, unambiguous set of instructions designed to achieve a task.

Safety Tip: Power Off Before Changing Circuits

Always power off circuits before making changes to avoid shocks and shorts.

Safety Tip: Avoid Wet Hands

Keep hands dry and avoid working over conductive surfaces to prevent shocks.

Safety Tip: Use Correct Resistor Values and Protective Equipment

Choose appropriate resistor values and wear protective gear when handling circuits.

Multimeter

A tool that measures voltage, current, and resistance in circuits.

Breadboard

A temporary platform for prototyping circuits without soldering.

Wire Stripper

Tool used to remove insulation from electrical wires.

Resistor

A passive component that limits current in a circuit.

Ohm's Law

V = I × R; voltage equals current times resistance.

Resistor color code Red-Violet-Brown

Red-Violet-Brown corresponds to 270 ohms.

LED

Light Emitting Diode; emits light and requires a resistor in series.

Anode

Positive lead of a diode; the longer leg.

Cathode

Negative lead of a diode; the shorter leg.

Series Circuit

A circuit with a single path for current.

Parallel Circuit

A circuit with multiple paths for current.

Buzzer

A device that produces sound.

Active Buzzer

A buzzer that starts buzzing when powered (needs only power).

Passive Buzzer

A buzzer that requires a tone signal to produce sound.

Arduino tone

Function that generates a tone on a specified pin at a given frequency (e.g., tone(pin, frequency)).

Arduino noTone

Function that stops an active tone on a pin.

Uses of Buzzers

Used in alarms, timers, doorbells, and alert systems.