Ultrasonic sensors to measure distance
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe and use ultrasonic sensors to calculate distance.
Key learning points
- Ultrasonic sensors measure distance using sound waves.
- Ultrasonic sensors gather data from the environment and send that data to the microcontroller to make decisions.
- Ultrasonic sensors are used to calculate distance using the formula distance = time x speed of sound.
Keywords
Ultrasonic - sound waves that have a frequency higher than the upper limit of human hearing
Distance - the length of the space between two points
Sensor - a device which detects or measures a physical property such as sound or light
Common misconception
Ultrasonic sensors work like cameras and detect objects visually.
Ultrasonic sensors use sound not light to detect objects.
Teacher tip
Explain the concept using the examples of bats or dolphins, which use echolocation to "see" by sending out sound waves and listening for echoes. This helps students understand how ultrasonic sensors work.
Equipment
Pupils will need a microcontroller and software to program it. They also need an electronics kit with an ultrasonic sensor. Examples in this lesson use the RPi Pico and Thonny https://oak.link/thonny
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the main purpose of a buggy chassis?
Q2.Why must a chassis be strong?
Q3.When should you perform a visual inspection?
Q4.Place these steps in order for checking a buggy before use:
Q5.Match each scenario to the correct keyword:
checking for loose wires
the buggy holds all parts together
the buggy does not break when bumped
changing motor direction using instructions
Q6.What is the small computer on a circuit board that controls the actions of devices like a programmable buggy?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Place these steps in the correct order for how an ultrasonic sensor measures distance:
Q2.What type of waves do ultrasonic sensors use to detect objects?
Q3.What formula is used to calculate distance with an ultrasonic sensor?
Q4.Match each keyword to its correct description:
sound waves above human hearing
the length between two points
device that detects or measures properties
the “brain” that makes decisions
Q5.Order these actions for how the buggy uses sensor data:
Q6.What happens after the ultrasonic sensor gathers data?
To help you plan your 11 computing lesson on: Ultrasonic sensors to measure distance, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 computing lesson on: Ultrasonic sensors to measure distance, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 computing lessons from the Using physical computing to create a robot buggy unit, dive into the full secondary computing curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.