Seven-Segment Display
Copy this iframe to your website:
1 | |
Run the Seven-Segment Display MicroSim in fullscreen
Description
This MicroSim demonstrates how seven-segment displays work by allowing users to control individual segments. Seven-segment displays are the most common way to display digits on digital clocks, calculators, and many electronic devices.
Key features:
- Interactive control of all 7 segments (A-G)
- Visual representation of segment layout
- Learn the standard segment naming convention
- See how different combinations create digits 0-9
How to Use
- Toggle individual segments using the controls
- Observe how each segment contributes to the display
- Try to create each digit from 0 to 9
- Note the segment pattern for each number
Segment Layout
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 | |
| Digit | A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Lesson Plan
Learning Objectives
After completing this lesson, students will be able to:
- Identify all seven segments by their standard names (A-G)
- Determine which segments must be lit to display any digit
- Explain how binary values control segment states
Target Audience
- Grade level: Middle school to high school (grades 6-12)
- Prerequisites: Basic understanding of binary on/off states
Activities
- Exploration Activity: Manually create each digit 0-9 using the segment controls
- Guided Investigation: Record the binary pattern for each digit in a table
- Extension Activity: Design letters using the seven segments (e.g., A, b, C, d, E, F for hexadecimal)
Assessment
- Can students recreate any digit from 0-9 without reference?
- Can students explain why certain letters cannot be displayed clearly?
- Can students identify which segment is faulty given a broken display?
References
- Seven-Segment Display - Wikipedia article with history and applications
- p5.js Reference - Documentation for the p5.js library
- LED Display Technology - Electronics tutorial on seven-segment displays