Computer Science - Hardware

Question 0

Computer architecture

Answer 0

The internal logical structure and organisation of computer hardware

Question 1

Hardware

Answer 1

The physical items within a computer system (keyboard, mouse etc)

Question 2

Binary

Answer 2

A system of numbers using only 0’s and 1’s (base 2)

Question 3

Denary

Answer 3

A system of numbers using ten digits, 0 and 1-9 (also called base-10 system)

Question 4

CPU

Answer 4

Central Processing Unit of the computer containing the control unit, ALU and cache memory

Question 5

Control Unit

Answer 5

The control unit works with the CPU to control the flow of data within the system

Question 6

ALU

Answer 6

The ALU performs all the arithmetic and logical operations within the CPU

Question 7

RAM

Answer 7

Random Access Memory - Main memory of the a computer that stores data, applications and the operating system whilst in use. When the power is turned off RAM loses its data

Question 8

Cache Memory

Answer 8

Special high speed memory used by a computer

Question 9

Flash Memory

Answer 9

Solid-state memory used as low cost secondary storage in portable devices and as removable memory

Question 10

Solid State

Answer 10

Technology based on electronics with no moving parts, for example transistors and capacitors as used in memory chips.

Question 11

Secondary Storage

Answer 11

Non-volatile storage used to store programs and files that need to be kept even when the power is not on.

Question 12

Fetch-execute cycle

Answer 12

This is the process of fetching the instgructions from memory, decoding them and then executing them so that the CPU performs continuously

Question 13

ROM

Answer 13

Read Only Memory A store for data in a computer that cannot be overwritten. Data in ROM is always available and is not lost when the computer is turned off

Question 14

Clock chip

Answer 14

The electronic device in a computer that controls the timing of signals

Question 15

Bus

Answer 15

A part of the computer architecture that transfers data and signals between the components of the computer

Question 16

Motherboard

Answer 16

The central printed circuit board (PCB) that holds the crucial components of the system

Question 17

Dual-core / quad-core

Answer 17

A CPU with multiple processors

Question 18

Bit

Answer 18

Binary digit 0 or 1

Question 19

Byte

Answer 19

8 bits

Question 20

Kilobyte

Answer 20

1024 bytes

Question 21

Volatile

Answer 21

Data lost when there is no power

Question 22

Non-volatile

Answer 22

Data retained even when the power is off

Question 23

Virtual Memory

Answer 23

A section of the hard disk used as if it were RAM to supplement the amount of main memory available to the computer. Used when there is not enough main memory to run the programs required.

Question 24

Logic Gates

Answer 24

A circuit that produces an out based on the inputs…

Question 25

NOT

Answer 25

A logic gate that outputs the opposite value to the input

Question 26

AND

Answer 26

A logic gate that outputs 1 if both inputs are 1

Question 27

OR

Answer 27

A logic gate that outputs 1 if either or both of the two inputs are 1