Build 007Queued

Dim the light

Add resistance to a light circuit and control how bright the LED is.

Blueprint illustration of a breadboard dimmer circuit with a potentiometer and LED

Before we start

If voltage pushes electrons and resistance slows their movement, what should happen to a light when resistance changes?

The goal

See how resistance changes current by watching the LED get brighter and dimmer.

How we'll do it

  1. 01Light the LED with the correct fixed resistor in the circuit.
  2. 02Swap in different resistor values and compare the brightness.
  3. 03Add a potentiometer and turn it slowly while watching the LED.
  4. 04Use the meter to compare what changed at two different brightness levels.

Optional equipment

Prints that make the build easier. None are required. Every build works with tape and clips.

Printables

Potentiometer knob

A bigger knob that small fingers can turn without knocking parts off the breadboard.

Not printed yet

Read alongside

Family read

How It Works: Electricity

Victoria Williams and Miguel Bustos

Lift-the-flap explanations of voltage and circuits in everyday devices.

Bench guide

A Beginner's Guide to Circuits

Øyvind Nydal Dahl

Short projects that show what resistors and other common parts do in a circuit.

Back to the bench