Chapter 6

Question 1

Motherboard

Answer 1

main circuit board of the computer

Question 2

Processor (Central Processing Unit-CPU)

Answer 2

interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate a computer

Question 3

Microprocessor

Answer 3

personal computer processor chip

Question 4

Mulit-Core processor

Answer 4

single chip with two or more separate processor cores

Question 5

Control Unit

Answer 5

component of the processor that directs and coordinates most of the operations in the computer

Question 6

Arithmetic Logic Unit

Answer 6

performs arithmetic, comparison, and other operations

Question 7

Machine Cycle

Answer 7

fetching, decoding, executing, storing

Question 8

Fetching

Answer 8

process of obtaining a program or an application instruction or data item from memory

Question 9

Decoding

Answer 9

process of translating the instruction into signals the computer can exectute

Question 10

Executing

Answer 10

process of carrying out the commands

Question 11

Storing

Answer 11

writing the result to memory

Question 12

System Clock

Answer 12

controls the timing of all computer operations

Question 13

Clock Cycle

Answer 13

One click

Question 14

Superscalar

Answer 14

system clock can execute more than one instruction per clock cycle

Question 15

Clock Speed

Answer 15

measured by the number of ticks per second

Question 16

Gigahertz (GHz)

Answer 16

one billion ticks of the system clock per second

Question 17

Heat Sink

Answer 17

small ceramic or metal component with fins on its surface that absorbs and disperses heat produced by electrical components

Question 18

Liquid Cooling Technology

Answer 18

uses a continuous flow of liquid(s) in a process that transfers the heateed fluid away from the processor to a radiator-type grill

Question 19

Cooling Pad

Answer 19

protects the laptop from overheating

Question 20

The Internet of Things (IoT)

Answer 20

describes a computing environment where everyday objects, or things, are connected to the Internet

Question 21

Analog

Answer 21

uses continuous signals that vary in strength and quality

Question 22

Digital

Answer 22

recognize only two discrete states: on and off

Question 23

Binary System

Answer 23

number system that has just two unique number digits

Question 24

Bit

Answer 24

smallest unit of data the computer can process

Question 25

Byte

Answer 25

8 bits grouped together; basic storage unit in memory

Question 26

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Answer 26

consists of memory chips that can be read from and written to by the processor and other devices

Question 27

Dynamic RAM

Answer 27

must be re-energized constantly or they lose their contents

Question 28

Static RAM

Answer 28

faster and more reliable than any variation of DRAM chips

Question 29

Memory Cache

Answer 29

helps speed the processes of the computer; stores frequently used instructions and memory

Question 30

Read-Only Memory (ROM)

Answer 30

memory chips storing permanent data and instructions

Question 31

Flash Memory

Answer 31

type of nonvolatile memory that can be erased electronically and rewritten

Question 32

Access Time

Answer 32

amount of time it takes the processor to read data, instructions, and information from the memory

Question 33

Adapter Card

Answer 33

circuit board that enhances the functions of a component of a desktop or server system unit and/or provides connections to peripheral devices

Question 34

Expansion Slot

Answer 34

socket on a desktop or server motherboard that can hold an adapter card

Question 35

Sound Card

Answer 35

enhances the sound-generating capabilities of a personal computer by allowing sound to be input through a microphone and output through external speakers or headphones

Question 36

Video Card

Answer 36

converts computer output into a video signal that travels through a cable to the monitor, which displays an image on the screen

Question 37

USB Adapter

Answer 37

dongle that plugs into a USB port, enhances functions of a mobile computer, and/or provides connections to peripheral devices

Question 38

Hot Plugging

Answer 38

insert and remove a device while the computer is running

Question 39

Bus

Answer 39

allows the various devices both inside and attached to the system unit to communicate with one another

Question 40

Word Size

Answer 40

number of bits the processor can interpret and execute at a given time

Question 41

Power Supply

Answer 41

converts the wall outlet AC power into DC power

Question 42

System Bus

Answer 42

part of the motherboard and connects the processor to main memory

Question 43

Backside Bus

Answer 43

connects the processor to cache

Question 44

Expansion Bus

Answer 44

allows the processor to communicate with peripheral devices