Electronic Systems: Sensors, Control, Outputs
Every electronic system is input, control and output. Meet the sensors, control devices and outputs you need to know, and learn the grade-9 habit of sorting components before you answer.
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Input, process, output 🔌
Every electronic system, from a burglar alarm to a games controller, follows the same simple pattern: an **input** senses the world, a **control** part decides what to do, and an **output** makes something happen. This module covers the three parts of an electronic system, the **sensors**, **control devices** and **outputs** you need to know, and the grade-9 habit of **sorting** components before you answer.
The words you need 🔑
Five ideas run through electronic systems:
What does a sensor do? 📡
In an electronic system, what is the job of an input sensor?
- It detects a change in the surroundings, such as light or temperature
- It produces a sound or light to alert the user
- It decides what the whole system should do
- It supplies power to the rest of the circuit
The systems model 🧭
Every electronic system has **three stages**: **Input**: a sensor detects a change, an LDR for light or a thermistor for heat. **Control**: a device processes the signal, such as a switch, transistor or resistor. **Output**: a device produces a result, such as a buzzer for sound or an LED for light. Trace any circuit as **input, then control, then output**.
Match each component to its job 🧩
- LDR
- Thermistor
- Buzzer
- LED
- Detects the level of light
- Detects temperature
- Produces a sound
- Produces light as an output
Trace the signal 🪜
An interactive activity.
Which are input sensors? ✅
Select the TWO components that are input sensors.
- A light-dependent resistor
- A thermistor
- A buzzer
- An LED
Inputs versus outputs ⚖️
Two kinds of device sit at opposite ends of a system.
Complete the system 🧱
Every electronic system has three stages. An _____ sensor detects a change; for example an _____ detects light and a _____ detects temperature. A control device such as a _____ then switches the circuit, and finally an _____ device such as a buzzer or LED produces the result.
What does a transistor do? 🎚️
In the control part of a circuit, what does a transistor mainly do?
- It acts as an electronic switch, turning the output on or off
- It detects light and temperature changes
- It produces the sound in a buzzer
- It stores charge like a battery
Find the inputs 🖍️
An interactive activity.
Sort the system 🔀
An interactive activity.
Design a system ✍️
An interactive activity.
The grade-9 habit 🏆
Top answers **sort the components first**. Before you write, label each one as **input**, **control** or **output**: a sensor like an **LDR** or **thermistor** is an input; a **transistor** or **resistor** is control; a **buzzer** or **LED** is an output. Then describe the system in that order, **input to control to output**, and say what each part does. Sort first, then trace the signal - top band.