"This is teaching at its best!" --Hans Camenzind, inventor of the 555 timer (the world's most successful integrated circuit), and author of Much Ado About Almost Nothing: Man's Encounter with the Electron (Booklocker.com) "A fabulous book: well written, well paced, fun, and informative. I also love the sense of humor. It's very good at disarming the fear. And it's gorgeous. I'll be recommending this book highly." --Tom Igoe, author of Physical Computing and Making Things Talk Want to learn the fundamentals of electronics in a fun, hands-on way? With Make: Electronics, you'll start working on real projects as soon as you crack open the book. Explore all of the key components and essential principles through a series of fascinating experiments. You'll build the circuits first, then learn the theory behind them! Build working devices, from simple to complex You'll start with the basics and then move on to more complicated projects. Go from switching circuits to integrated circuits, and from simple alarms to programmable microcontrollers. Step-by-step instructions and more than 500 full-color photographs and illustrations will help you use -- and understand -- electronics concepts and techniques. Discover by breaking things: experiment with components and learn from failure Set up a tricked-out project space: make a work area at home, equipped with the tools and parts you'll need Learn about key electronic components and their functions within a circuit Create an intrusion alarm, holiday lights, wearable electronic jewelry, audio processors, a reflex tester, and a combination lock Build an autonomous robot cart that can sense its environment and avoid obstacles Get clear, easy-to-understand explanations of what you're doing and why

"A hands-on primer for the new electronics enthusiast"--Cover.

This is the simplest, quickest, least technical, most affordable introduction to basic electronics. No tools are necessary--not even a screwdriver. Easy Electronics should satisfy anyone who has felt frustrated by entry-level books that are not as clear and simple as they are supposed to be. Brilliantly clear graphics will take you step by step through 12 basic projects, none of which should take more than half an hour. Using alligator clips to connect components, you see and hear immediateresults. The hands-on approach is fun and intriguing, especially for family members exploring the projects together. The 12 experiments will introduce you to switches, resistors, capacitors, transistors, phototransistors, LEDs, audio transducers, and a silicon chip. You'll even learn how to read schematics by comparing them with the circuits that you build. No prior knowledge is required, and no math is involved. You learn by seeing, hearing, and touching. By the end of Experiment 12, you may be eager to move on to a more detailed book. Easy Electronics will function perfectly as a prequel to the same author's bestseller, Make: Electronics. All the components listed in the book are inexpensive and readily available from online sellers. A very affordable kit has been developed in conjunction with the book to eliminate the chore of shopping for separate parts. A QR code inside the book will take you to the vendor's web site. Concepts include: Transistor as a switch or an amplifier Phototransistor to function as an alarm Capacitor to store and release electricity Transducer to create sounds from a timer Resistor codes A miniature light bulb to display voltage The inner workings of a switch Using batteries and resistors in series and parallel Creating sounds by the pressure of your finger Making a matchbox that beeps when you touch it And more. Grab your copy and start experimenting!

Shares step-by-step experiments that teach how to add computational power to projects, including light bars, timers, decoders, phototransistors, op-amps, and various sensors.

A whole issue devoted to toys for makers! Toys are big players in the maker world. From educational (STEM/STEAM) to robotics and science, toys provide stimulation, simulation, and prototyping. Make: Volume 41 highlights the latest games and gadgets that have come from the maker community, and provides hands-on inspiration for making your own tech-infused toys.

This book is your introduction to to physical computing with the Arduino microcontroller platform. No prior experience is required, not even an understanding of basic electronics. With color illustrations, easy-to-follow explanations, and step-by-step instructions, the book takes the beginner from building simple circuits on a breadboard to setting up the Arduino IDE and downloading and writing sketches to run on the Arduino. Readers will be introduced to basic electronics theory and programming concepts, as well as to digital and analog inputs and outputs. Throughout the book, debugging practices are highlighted, so novices will know what to do if their circuits or their code doesn't work for the current project and those that they embark on later for themselves. After completing the projects in this book, readers will have a firm basis for building their own projects with the Arduino. Written for absolute beginners with no prior knowledge of electronics or programming Filled with detailed full-color illustrations that make concepts and procedures easy to follow An accessible introduction to microcontrollers and physical computing Step-by-step instructions for projects that teach fundamental skills Includes a variety of Arduino-based projects using digital and analog input and output

Make: Electronics explores the properties and applications of discrete components that are the fundamental building blocks of circuit design. Understanding resistors, capacitors, transistors, inductors, diodes, and integrated circuit chips is essential even when using microcontrollers. Make: Electronics teaches the fundamentals and also provides advice on the tools and supplies that are necessary. Component kits are available, specifically developed for the third edition.