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Year 11 - Computing

Ultrasonic sensors to measure distance

Using physical computing to create a robot buggy

Unit Summary

This unit introduces pupils to physical computing by building a robotic buggy. They will use a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller to explore inputs and outputs, and utilise a range of hardware components, including motors, reflective optical sensors, LEDs, and an ultrasonic sensor.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe and use ultrasonic sensors to calculate distance.

Key Notes

  • Ultrasonic sensors measure distance using sound waves.
  • Ultrasonic sensors gather data from the environment and send that data to the microcontroller to make decisions.
  • Ultrasonic sensors are used to calculate distance using the formula distance = time x speed of sound.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • ultrasonic: sound waves that have a frequency higher than the upper limit of human hearing
  • distance: the length of the space between two points
  • sensor: a device which detects or measures a physical property such as sound or light

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Ultrasonic sensors work like cameras and detect objects visually.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Describe the system or process from this lesson in clear steps.

Ultrasonic sensors measure distance using sound waves. Ultrasonic sensors gather data from the environment and send that data to the microcontroller to make decisions.

2. Define this computing term and give one practical example. 'ultrasonic'

sound waves that have a frequency higher than the upper limit of human hearing. Add one real device or system example to prove understanding.

3. Correct this common computing misconception.

Mistake: Ultrasonic sensors work like cameras and detect objects visually. Correction: Ultrasonic sensors use sound not light to detect objects.

More Lessons In This Unit

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