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YOUR CART

Micro:bit Physical computing guides
No. 11: Potentiometers

​​Connecting a Potentiometer to a micro:bit
Instructions on how to attach a potentiometer to a BBC micro:bit.

What you will need
  • BBC micro:bit
  • Micro USB cable
  • Battery pack with 2 x AAA batteries
  • 1 x potentiometer
  • 3 x Crocodile clip leads
Understanding potentiometers
​

A potentiometer is a special type of resistor. By rotating the knob of the potentiometer you can vary the amount of resistance (see image below).
The image shows a diagram of a potentiometer, an electronic component used to vary resistance in a circuit. On the left, there is an illustration of the physical potentiometer with three terminals labeled: Vcc (Power), Signal, and Ground. The right side displays a schematic representation of the internal mechanism, featuring a resistive track and a wiper that moves along the track to adjust the resistance between the wiper and each terminal. The numbers 1, 2, and 3 are marked on different points of the resistive track to indicate variable resistance levels.
Potentiometer​

Wiring instructions
  1. Disconnect the micro:bit from your computer and disconnect the battery pack.
  2. Using crocodile clips, connect the left leg of the potentiometer (Vcc) to 3V, the middle leg to Pin 0, and the right leg to GND on the BBC micro:bit. 
The image shows a simple electronic circuit diagram. It includes a micro:bit with labelled connection points (1 to 5, + for power, and GND for ground). Three wires connect the board to a potentiometer: a blue wire to GND, a red wire to +, and a black wire to point 2. The potentiometer has three terminals, with the middle terminal connected by the blue wire.
​
​Programming your Potentiometer
Copy the below:
Picture
Picture
To access the 'Pins' blocks, click on 'Advanced'.
​
​Testing your code
  1. Download your program to your micro:bit.
  2. Reconnect your battery and run your program.
  3. Turn the knob of the potentiometer to change the value displayed on the micro:bit

Projects
  • Change the colour of an RGB LED
  • Control the tone or pitch of a buzzer
  • Control the scolling speed of the micto:bit display

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ: Using a Potentiometer with the Micro:bit
​

Q1: What is a potentiometer?
  • A1: A potentiometer is a type of resistor that allows you to vary the resistance by turning its knob.

Q2: How do I connect a potentiometer to the micro:bit?
  • A2: Connect the left leg (Vcc) to 3V, the middle leg to Pin 0, and the right leg to GND on the micro:bit using crocodile clips.

Q3: What can I control with a potentiometer on the micro:bit?
  • A3: You can control various outputs like the scrolling speed of the micro:bit display or the brightness of an LED.

Q4: What are the steps to set up the potentiometer?
  • A4: Disconnect the micro:bit from your computer, connect the potentiometer as described, and then use the micro:bit to read the resistance changes.

You may also be interested in:

​
  • Python tutorials
  • ​Micro:bit tutorials
  • ​21 things every computing teacher should try.
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