micro:bit pins

Summary

The BBC micro:bit features 25 pins, with the five large ones being the most important for beginners. Pins 0, 1, and 2 are versatile General Purpose Input and Output (GPIO) pins, ideal for connecting accessories like headphones, buzzers, and even creating fun projects like reaction games or musical instruments made from everyday items. The 3v and GND pins manage the power supply, and it’s crucial not to connect them directly. These pins can also be used for simple circuits, like detecting touch by connecting with your body, offering a hands-on way to explore electronics.

Takeaways

• 😀 The small holes on the edge of the BBC micro:bit are called pins, and they are used to create circuits and connect the micro:bit to external devices.
• 😀 The micro:bit has 25 pins in total, but the five large pins on the front are most commonly used to get started.
• 😀 Pins 0, 1, and 2 are General Purpose Input and Output (GPIO) pins, which can be used for a variety of projects and devices.
• 😀 GPIO pins can be used to connect crocodile clips, strips of foil, headphones, buzzers, and even create games or musical instruments.
• 😀 You can make reaction games, keyboards from fruit or Play-Doh, and guitars using tin foil and cardboard by utilizing GPIO pins.
• 😀 The 3v (3-volt) and GND (ground) pins relate to the power supply of the micro:bit and should not be connected together.
• 😀 The 3v pin can be used to power accessories connected to the micro:bit.
• 😀 The GND pin is used to complete simple circuits and can be used to detect touch when paired with other pins like 0, 1, or 2.
• 😀 By holding the GND pin in one hand and touching pins 0, 1, or 2 with the other hand, an electrical circuit can be created through your body.
• 😀 Understanding how to use the pins is essential to getting started with physical computing projects using the micro:bit.

Q & A

What are the small holes on the edge of the BBC micro:bit called?

The small holes are called pins.

How many pins does the BBC micro:bit have in total?

The BBC micro:bit has 25 pins in total.

Which pins are most likely to be used for basic projects?

The five large pins on the front are most likely to be used for basic projects.

What are the first three pins labeled on the BBC micro:bit?

The first three pins are labeled 0, 1, and 2.

What does GPIO stand for in the context of the micro:bit?

GPIO stands for General Purpose Input and Output.

What can you connect to the GPIO pins of the micro:bit?

You can connect crocodile clips, strips of foil, headphones, buzzers, and various accessories.

What are some projects you can create using the GPIO pins?

You can create projects like reaction games, keyboards from fruit or play-doh, and guitars from tin foil and cardboard.

What do the 3v and GND pins on the micro:bit represent?

The 3v pin provides power, and the GND pin is used for grounding the circuit.

Why is it important not to connect the 3v and GND pins together?

Connecting the 3v and GND pins together could cause a short circuit, damaging the board.

How can you create a simple circuit using the GND pin on the micro:bit?

You can hold the GND pin in one hand and touch one of the GPIO pins (0, 1, or 2) with your other hand to create an electrical circuit using your body.