Glossary

AND (switch): A type of logic switch design where multiple switches are connected in series, so you have to press all the switches in the loop (for example switch A and Switch B) in order to turn on the circuit.

AND: Logic situation where both conditions have to be true in order to get a “yes” result.

binder clip: Common clip that is useful as a battery holder for temporarily holding the Launchpad Battery in place in the circuit. Use one binder clip per Launchpad Battery tab.

blinking slide switch: A type of switch with one switch gap and many switch contacts so that when you slide your finger across the switch, it opens and closes the switch multiple times and makes your LED blink.

branch switch: Type of sequence switch where LEDs are arranged in branches that extend between the battery connection at the top of the page and row of switch contacts at the bottom of the page. bug: In circuits, this means a problem or mistake that causes your project (such as your circuit) to not work the way you want it to.

bug: In circuits, this means a problem or mistake that causes your project (such as your circuit) to not work the way you want it to.

closed: In a switch this means when the switch gap is connected by a conductive material, turning the circuit on.

complete circuit: When the components of a circuit are connected in a closed loop so that electricity can flow and turn on the components.

conductive fabric tape (or fabric tape): A type of conductive tape made from fabric embedded with metal particles. This tape is soft and sturdy, can be folded repeatedly without breaking, and requires scissors to cut. The adhesive on conductive fabric tape is conductive enough to create electrical connections simply by taping two pieces together.

conductive fabric tape strips: Form of conductive fabric tape that comes as pre-cut sticker strips in a sheet. These strips are handy for making smaller circuits and easier to peel from the paper backing than standard conductive fabric tape in roll form.

conductive pressure sensor sheet: This black conductive plastic material has a conductivity that changes when pressed and is useful for making paper pressure sensors.

conductive tape: Any tape that is made out of a conductive material so that electricity can flow through it.

conductive: Able to allow electricity to flow through it.

copper foil tape (or copper tape): A type of conductive tape made from thin copper metal foil and soft enough to tear by hand. The adhesive on copper foil tape is not as conductive as the adhesive on conductive fabric tapes. You can solder to copper foil tape.

current: The flow of electrons.

debugging: Process of looking closely at a project (for example your circuit) when it isn’t working as you expect, figuring out what the issue is, and fixing it so that the project works the way you would like it to.

electricity: The type of energy that powers circuits.

electron: A tiny particle, too small to see, in circuits that can flow through components and conductive materials carrying energy. The energy of this flow makes up electricity.

flap switch: A type of switch made by placing a flap of paper over a gap in the circuit and adding conductive tape to the gap so that the switch closes when you press the flap.

in parallel: When circuit components are connected side by side like rungs on a ladder. For LEDs, it means that all the + sides are connected and all the – sides are all connected. For switches, it means that all the left sides of the switch gaps are connected and all the right sides of the switch gaps are connected.

in series: When circuit components are connected one after the other in a single loop, like beads on a string. For switches, this means connecting the right side of one switch gap to the left side of the next switch gap. For LEDs, this means connecting the + of one LED to the – of the next LED.

Launchpad Battery: A special type of battery made by Chibitronics that has large positive and negative pads for easily taping with conductive tape. The body of Launchpad Batteries are completely wrapped to protect from short circuits, making them safer than standard coin batteries.

Launchpad LED: A special type of LED made by Chibitronics that is reusable and has large positive and negative pads for easily taping with conductive tape. Launchpad LEDs are made up of a rigid circuit board base, an LED, and a resistor.

LED (or light emitting diode): An electronic component that lights up when powered by electricity.

LED sticker: A special type of LED made by Chibitronics that comes in the form of a sticker, so you can connect it to your circuit by sticking it down. LED stickers are made up of an LED and resistor, a flexible circuit board base, and conductive adhesive.

milliampere hour (mAh): Unit used for measuring how much energy a battery can store and supply and for how long it can keep powering the circuit.

negative (marked with “-” or blue color): In batteries it is the side that electricity flows into and in LEDs it is the side that electricity flows out of.

nonconductive: This kind of material does not allow electricity to flow through it. Examples include clear tape, masking tape, and printer paper.

open: For a switch this means when the switch gap is not connected by a conductive material, turning the circuit off.

OR (switch): A type of logic switch design where multiple switches are connected in parallel branches, so you can press any of the switches (for example Switch A or Switch B) to turn on the circuit.

OR: Logic situation where either condition can be true in order to get a “yes” result.

pad: Metal tab connectors on Launchpad components, such as Launchpad LEDs and Launchpad Batteries. The pads are marked + for positive or – for negative.

parallel circuit: Type of circuit where multiple LEDs are connected to one battery with all the + sides connected and all the – sides connected. There are other ways to create parallel circuits, but this is what we mean in paper circuits.

polarity: Tells the direction that electricity must flow through electrical components. Batteries and LEDs have polarity while conductive tape and switches do not.

positive (marked with “+” or red color): In batteries it is the side that electricity flows out of and in LEDs it is the side the electricity flows into.

pressure sensor: A circuit component that can control the brightness of LED lights depending on how hard you press on the sensor. It does this by changing the amount of voltage (or energy) that is going into the lights.

Rainbow Fade Launchpad LED: Launchpad LED with a flower-shaped center that gently fades through different colors.

resistance: The property of a conductive material that describes how much it slows down (or resists) the flow of electricity. If resistance is low, electricity can flow well. If resistance is high, electricity cannot flow as well.

resistor: Circuit component that protects circuits by preventing too much power from flowing through.

sequence switch: Type of switch that lights up LEDs in a sequence when you slide your finger across the switch contacts.

short circuit: When electricity flows directly from the positive to the negative side of a battery, skipping the LED or other component that it is supposed to power. This quickly drains the battery of power and happens when the positive and negative sides of the battery are accidentally connected directly by a conductive material.

simple circuit: A circuit with one battery and one LED. There are other types of simple circuits with different electrical components, but this is what we mean in paper circuits.

solder: Advanced method of connecting two metal parts by melting a third metal between them. solid color Launchpad LED: Launchpad LED with triangular center that shines a single color.

switch contact: A conductive material that can move to either connect or disconnect the switch gap.

switch gap: An opening in the circuit that can be left open or connected with a conductive material.

switch: A circuit component that controls when a circuit is on or off by opening and closing a connection circuit loop. When the switch is closed, the loop is complete and electricity can flow, turning the circuit on. When the switch is open, the loop is incomplete and electricity cannot flow, turning the circuit off.

through-hole LED: A common type of LED light that has a round dome lens and two metal legs. Unlike LED stickers and Launchpad LEDs, through-hole LEDs do not have a resistor included in the component.

volt (or V): Unit used for measuring voltage.

voltage: The amount of energy that a battery has for powering the flow of electricity. It is the amount of “push” that the battery can give to move electrons through the circuit. The higher the voltage, the more power a battery has.