Hello forum.

to make an LED blink, would I use a 555 chip or a flip flop and why?
What is easier and why?

thanks
antennaboy

 

A 555 is easier and has more drive capacity than a flip-flop.
An astable flip-flop can do the same thing, but at less power.

 

A 555 can sink and source 200ma, though it is recommended to hold that at 100ma.

A CMOS circuit can sink or source 7ma max, more than that you run the risk of burning up the chip.

 

A toggle FF requires an external clock; multivibrator [MV], built with transistors ,Rs & Cs will drive LEDs, lots of components & connections; MV using 74C914, schmitt trigger invertor will drive LED @ 10mA with Vdd 9V, or more output I by paralleling stages. Choice depends on what you have on hand & future plans- my vote is still 555, few components, output not as sensitive to Vdd, & cheap.