PIR sensors (or passive infrared sensors) are motion sensors that measure subtle changes in infrared light in the room and register that change as movement. The processing is done on the chip and it outputs a current based on whether or not it detects motion.

int pin = 2;

void setup(){
  pinMode(pin, INPUT);

  pinMode(13, OUTPUT);
}

void loop(){
  int pirVal = digitalRead(pin);

  if (pirVal == 0) {
    digitalWrite(13, HIGH);
  } else {
    digitalWrite(13, LOW);
  }

  delay(100);
}

Photoresistors are resistance-based sensors that react to how much light they are being hit by. The more light present, the smaller the resistance across the sensor. The Arduino is able to measure the changing resistance to determine how much light is in the room.

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
  int val = analogRead(A0);

  Serial.println(val);
}

Servos are specialized motors that support precise control. Rather than spinning off to oblivion like a motor, servos let the designer specify exactly where they want the object to rotate to. Most common servos allow for 180º of rotation.

#include <Servo.h>
Servo myservo;

void setup() {
  myservo.attach(9);
}

void loop() {
  int val = analogRead(A0);
  val = map(val, 0, 1023, 0, 179);

  myservo.write(val);

  delay(15);
}

Force sensors are sensors that change resistance based on how much force is applied on it. The more force applied, the lower the resistance. Force can be measured using the analog pins on the Arduino.

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
  int val = analogRead(A0);

  Serial.println(val);
}

Potentiometers are variable resistors. Potentiometers have a knob that varies the output voltage (by varying the resistance as they are turned). The analog pins on the Arduino can measure this change.

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
  int val = analogRead(A0);

  Serial.println(val);

  delay(100);
}

Push buttons are momentary switches; you press down on the button, and it completes the circuit. You release the button, and the circuit is once again open.

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  pinMode(8, INPUT_PULLUP);
}

void loop() {
  if (digitalRead(8) == false) {
    Serial.println(“Button is pressed.”);
  }
  delay(100);
}

#include <Wire.h>
#include <Adafruit_MotorShield.h>

Adafruit_MotorShield AFMS = Adafruit_MotorShield();

Adafruit_DCMotor *myMotor = AFMS.getMotor(1);
//Adafruit_DCMotor *myMotor = AFMS.getMotor(2);

void setup() {
     AFMS.begin();
}

void loop() {
     myMotor->setSpeed(255);
     myMotor->run(FORWARD);
     delay(1000);
}

Ultrasonic sensors are distance sensors that use sound waves to detect how far away an object is. They send out high frequency bursts of sound and listen for its echo. They then determine how far away the object is based on how long it takes for the sound to return to the sensor. This variety requires an Arduino library to operate.

NewPing Library

#include <NewPing.h>

NewPing mysensor(5, 6, 200);

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
  int pingTime = mysensor.ping();

  int distance = mysensor.ping_in();

  int distance_cm = mysensor.ping_cm();

  Serial.println(distance);
}