Components of a Computer

Question 1

How many components comprises a computer?

Answer 1

Six components make up a computer: input devices, the processor, the memory, output devices, storage devices, and communication devices.

Question 2

The system unit

Answer 2

The processor, the memory and storage devices are housed in a box - like case.

Question 3

What is a peripheral?

Answer 3

A device that connects to the system unit and is controlled by the processor in the computer.

Question 4

Input Devices

Answer 4

Any hardware component that allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer. Keyboard, stylus, mouse, touchpad, keypad.

Question 5

System unit

Answer 5

A case that contains electronic components of the computer used to process data. Also called the chassis, protects the internal components from damage.

Question 6

The motherboard

Answer 6

Also called the system board, is the main circuit board of the system unit.

Question 7

Adapter Cards

Answer 7

Are circuit boards that provide connections and functions not built into the motherboard or expand on the capability of features integrated into the motherboard.

Question 8

Processor

Answer 8

Also called the central processing unit (CPU), interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate a computer. They usually contain the control unit and the arithmetic/logic unit (ALU).

Question 9

Control Unit

Answer 9

Directs and coordinates most of the operations of the computer.

Question 10

ALU (arithmetic/logic) unit

Answer 10

Performs the arithmetic, comparisons and other operations.

Question 11

A computer chip (all functions of the processor)

Answer 11

A small piece of semiconducting material that has many microscopic pathways capable of carrying electrical current.

Question 12

Memory

Answer 12

An electronic component that stores instructions waiting to be executed and data needed by those instructions.

Question 13

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Answer 13

Also called the main memory, consists of memory chips that can be read from and written to by the processor and other devices.

Question 14

How memory is measured?

Answer 14

Memory is measured by bytes, kilobytes (1 KB = 1024 bytes), megabytes (1 MB = 1,000,000 bytes), gigabytes (1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes) and terabytes (1 TB = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes).

Question 15

Storage Device

Answer 15

This is computer hardware used to record and/or retrieve items to and from storage media.

Question 16

Storage Media

Answer 16

This is the physical material on which a computer stores data, instructions and information.

Question 17

Hard disks

Answer 17

A storage device that contains one or more inflexible, circular platters that use magnetic particles to store data, instructions or information.

Question 18

Computer backup

Answer 18

Is a duplicate file, program or disk that you can store on a separate storage medium on case the original is lost, damaged or destroyed.

Question 19

What rate can a hard disk platter spin at?

Answer 19

5400 to 15,000 revolutions per minute.