Activity-1 Blinking an LED using Arduino Uno
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, students will be able to:
1. Understand what an Arduino is and its role in controlling electronic components.
2. Identify the LED and understand how it works.
3. Connect an LED correctly to an Arduino board.
4. Write, upload, and understand a simple Arduino program to make the LED blink.
5. Observe how changing code values affects the LED blinking speed.
Materials Required:-
Arduino with Cable Resistor Breadboard
Jumper Wire LED
Fig:2a
1. Arduino Uno
The Arduino Uno is an open-source microcontroller board based on the ATmega328P chip. It
serves as the brain of electronic projects, capable of reading inputs (like sensors or buttons) and
controlling outputs (like LEDs, motors, or buzzers) using programmed instructions. It has 14
digital I/O pins, 6 analog pins, and connects easily to a computer via a USB cable for uploading
code and providing power. Arduino Uno operates on 5V DC and is programmed using the
Arduino IDE. It’s perfect for beginners because it simplifies hardware control through user-
friendly coding.
2. LED (Light Emitting Diode)
An LED is a small electronic component that emits light when an electric current passes through
it in the forward direction. It has two legs — the anode (long leg) for positive connection and
the cathode (short leg) for negative connection. LEDs are widely used in indicators, displays,
and lighting systems because they consume very little power and last long. In this activity, the
LED glows when the Arduino sends a HIGH signal and turns off when it sends a LOW signal,
demonstrating how digital signals control electronic outputs.
3. Resistor (220Ω or 330Ω)
A resistor is a fundamental electronic component that resists the flow of electric current. It
helps control the amount of current passing through a circuit, protecting delicate components
such as LEDs from burning out due to excess current. The value of resistance is measured in
Ohms (Ω), and color bands on the resistor indicate its value. In the LED blinking circuit, a 220Ω
or 330Ω resistor is used in series with the LED to maintain safe current flow. Resistors ensure
circuit safety, stability, and longevity of components.
4. Breadboard
A breadboard is a reusable platform used to build and test electronic circuits without soldering.
It contains internal metal strips that connect holes in specific patterns, allowing components
and wires to be easily inserted and connected. The central gap divides the board into two
halves for placing integrated circuits (ICs). Breadboards are ideal for students and beginners
because they make experimentation simple, quick, and clean. In the LED blinking activity, the
breadboard holds the LED, resistor, and jumper wires, creating an organized circuit connected
to the Arduino Uno.
5. Jumper Wires
Jumper wires are flexible connecting wires used to build temporary circuits on a breadboard or
between components. They are available in three types: male-to-male, male-to-female, and
female-to-female, depending on the connector pins. Jumper wires carry electrical signals from
one point to another, connecting the Arduino pins to electronic components like LEDs or
sensors. In the LED blinking activity, male-to-male jumper wires are used to link the Arduino’s
digital pin 13, the LED, resistor, and ground. They make prototyping easy, quick, and error-free
by allowing simple circuit modifications.
6. USB Cable (Type A to B)
The USB cable is used to connect the Arduino Uno to a computer. It serves two essential
purposes: transferring the program (code) from the Arduino IDE to the microcontroller and
providing power (typically 5V) to run the circuit. The Type-A end connects to the computer’s
USB port, while the Type-B end connects to the Arduino board. This cable also allows serial
communication between the Arduino and computer for debugging or monitoring through the
Serial Monitor. In this activity, the USB cable is the link that enables both coding and powering
of the Arduino LED circuit.
Activity Steps:-
Step-1: Take a breadboard and place a LED on it.
Fig-2b
Step-2: Connect cathode pin of LED to the ground pin of arduino using jumper wire.
Fig-2c
Step-3: Add one end of resistance of 220 Ω with anode of LED.
Fig-2d
Step-4: connect other free end of resistor with digital pin 13 of the arduino.( we can take any no
of digital pin from 0 to 13).
Fig:2e
Step-5: Circuit is completed now. To program this we will be requiring Arduino pictoblox
Step by Step guide for programming in Pictoblox.
Step-1 Open google chrome and in search bar type
[Link]
Step-2 Click on Blocks in block coding section.
Step-3 click on board .
step:4 select Arduino uno
step:5 then click upload
step:6 then select blocks