Computer Hardware Chapter 3
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Questions and Answers

What are the three components of an information system?

  • Technology, processes, and people (correct)
  • Hardware, software, and network
  • Input, processing, and output
  • Digital devices, computer systems, and e-waste
  • What is computer hardware?

  • Software applications used for productivity
  • Networks used for communication
  • Devices that can only be used for gaming
  • Physical devices that make up a computer system (correct)
  • What is a characteristic of digital devices?

  • They are only found in computers
  • They process electronic signals into discrete values (correct)
  • They can only process analog signals
  • They can only be used for entertainment
  • What is a trend in personal computing?

    <p>Integrating computing into everyday objects</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a problem associated with the commoditization of computers?

    <p>E-waste generation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of a non-traditional digital device?

    <p>Smart refrigerator</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a component of a computer system?

    <p>Monitor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do you learn about in this chapter?

    <p>Computer hardware</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between analog and digital signals?

    <p>Analog signals are continuous, while digital signals are discrete.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for a single binary digit?

    <p>Bit</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for a group of 8 bits?

    <p>Byte</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What determines the capacity of a processor?

    <p>Word size</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of a personal computer?

    <p>To process data using stored instructions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a Network Interface Card (NIC)?

    <p>To connect to a network</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for one trillion bytes?

    <p>Terabyte</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the central component of a personal computer that performs calculations?

    <p>Central Processing Unit (CPU)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the number of bits that can be processed by a computer's processor at one time?

    <p>Word size</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the motherboard in a personal computer?

    <p>To connect components together</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main function of the motherboard?

    <p>To provide electrical connections between components</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the brain of a computer?

    <p>Central Processing Unit (CPU)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the unit of measurement for the speed of a CPU?

    <p>Hertz</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name of the law that states computing power will double every two years for the same price point?

    <p>Moore's Law</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary use of Random-Access Memory (RAM)?

    <p>To load information from storage into the working memory</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name of the CEO who coined the term Huang's Law?

    <p>Jensen Huang</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of multiple processors in a CPU chip?

    <p>To provide the capability of multiple CPUs all sharing the processing load</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the electrical connections between different computer components?

    <p>Bus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name of the two primary manufacturers of CPUs for personal computers?

    <p>Intel and AMD</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the benefit of increased processing power in a computer?

    <p>Faster processing of data</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of RAM in a computer?

    <p>To process data temporarily</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to data stored in RAM when the computer is turned off?

    <p>It is lost</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between a hard disk and a solid-state drive?

    <p>SSDs use flash memory while hard disks use spinning disks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary benefit of using cloud computing for data storage?

    <p>Accessibility from anywhere with an internet connection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of a hard disk in a computer?

    <p>To store data for the longer term</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are SSDs more reliable than hard disks?

    <p>Because they have no moving parts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a USB drive?

    <p>To store data externally</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What determines the speed of a computer?

    <p>Many elements, including hardware and software</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the benefit of adding more RAM to a computer?

    <p>Improved computer speed</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is EEPROM?

    <p>Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term used to describe the process of putting more and more circuits onto the same chip?

    <p>Integrated circuits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the cache in a CPU?

    <p>To store frequently used data for a particular program</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the unit of measurement for the clock speed of a CPU?

    <p>GHz</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the motherboard?

    <p>To connect input and output devices</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the technology used for wireless communication between devices?

    <p>Bluetooth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary input device used in early computers?

    <p>Keyboard</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the unit of measurement for the access time of a hard disk?

    <p>ms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of RAM in a computer?

    <p>To temporarily store data for a program</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term used to describe the data transfer rate of RAM?

    <p>Data transfer rate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the range of distance over which Bluetooth devices can communicate?

    <p>Up to 100 meters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of a microphone?

    <p>To record audio or give voice commands</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a 3D printer?

    <p>To create a prototype of a product</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of netbooks?

    <p>They depend on the Internet 'cloud' for data and application storage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a feature of smartphones that PCs and laptops could not deliver?

    <p>Mobility</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of tablet computers?

    <p>They use a touch screen as their primary input</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of an output device?

    <p>Display or monitor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a use of 3D printing?

    <p>To create a prototype of a product</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a feature of portable computers?

    <p>They are lightweight and provide longer battery life</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of a device that can be used for video chat?

    <p>Webcam</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a feature of the MacBook Air?

    <p>It weighs less than three pounds and is only 0.68 inches thick</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of a storage device?

    <p>To store digital data or information</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of memory is used in a Solid State Drive (SSD)?

    <p>Flash memory</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between a Hard Disk and a Solid State Drive (SSD)?

    <p>Speed</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key feature of the Internet of Things (IoT)?

    <p>A network of devices with unique network addresses</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major challenge in recycling e-waste?

    <p>The process of separating the densely packed materials inside tech products is hugely labour-intensive.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of a Solid State Drive (SSD)?

    <p>Long-term storage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is much e-waste sent abroad?

    <p>It is much cheaper to process it abroad than at home.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary factor that controls the sale of personal computers?

    <p>Price of the computer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of a Solid State Drive (SSD)?

    <p>Uses flash memory</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the Central Processing Unit (CPU) in a computer?

    <p>To carry out the commands sent to it by the software and returns results to be acted upon</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of a firm's failure to address e-waste?

    <p>It can lead to legal action and damage to the brand.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the expected lifetime of a PC?

    <p>3 to 5 years</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the number of transistors in a dense integrated circuit that doubles approximately every two years?

    <p>Moore's Law</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the benefit of using a Solid State Drive (SSD)?

    <p>Faster data access</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the motherboard in a personal computer?

    <p>To connect to the CPU, memory, and storage components, among other things</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name of the company that avoids commoditization of personal computers?

    <p>Apple</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of advances in personal computing?

    <p>The personal computer has become a commodity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a trend in personal computing?

    <p>Toward more portability, mobility, and interconnected devices.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the predicted increase in e-waste by 2020?

    <p>17% increase</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the electrical connections between different computer components?

    <p>Bus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for a single binary digit?

    <p>Bit</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a type of device that is part of the Internet of Things (IoT)?

    <p>FitBit</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the impact of Moore's Law on computer hardware?

    <p>It accelerates the development of computer hardware.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of the commoditization of computers?

    <p>It has contributed to the problem of e-waste.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for a group of 8 bits?

    <p>Byte</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of the rapid obsolescence of technology?

    <p>Creation of e-waste</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the estimated amount of e-waste created in 2016?

    <p>44.7 million metric tonnes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the assignment?

    <p>To identify and understand emerging topics in computer hardware.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the measure of computer processing speed?

    <p>Hertz</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of the CPU?

    <p>It contributes to the speed of your computer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of Apple's computers?

    <p>They are designed and manufactured uniquely</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of an input device?

    <p>Keyboard</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a contributor to the global e-waste problem?

    <p>Canada</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the working memory that begins to load information from the hard disk as the computer starts up?

    <p>Read Access Memory (RAM)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the review questions?

    <p>To test knowledge of the chapter.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the retention of retrievable data on a computer or other electronic system?

    <p>Storage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Chapter 3: Hardware

    3.1 Chapter Introduction

    • An information system consists of three components: technology, people, and processes
    • This chapter focuses on the technology component, specifically hardware

    3.2 Digital Devices

    • Digital devices process electronic signals into discrete values (binary: 0 or 1)
    • Examples: desktop computers, laptop computers, mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, storage devices, and input and output devices
    • The number of bits that can be processed by a computer’s processor at one time is known as word size (e.g., 64-bit processor)

    3.3 Personal Computer Tour

    • A computer consists of the following basic components:
      • Network connection
      • Motherboard
      • Central Processing Unit (CPU)
      • Storage/memory
      • Input/output devices

    3.4 Processing Data

    • The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the "brain" of the computer
    • CPU speed (clock time) is measured in hertz (Hz)
    • Moore's Law states that computing power will double every two years for the same price point
    • Multi-core processors have increased processing power
    • Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) are increasing in power faster than Moore's Law (Huang's Law)

    3.5 Storing Data

    • Random-Access Memory (RAM) is used as working memory
    • RAM is volatile, meaning it loses data when power is turned off
    • Hard disks are used for long-term data storage
    • Solid State Drives (SSDs) use flash memory and are faster and more reliable than hard disks
    • Cloud computing provides online data storage and access

    3.6 Computer Speed Factors

    • Computer speed is determined by hardware and software components
    • Hardware components that contribute to speed:
      • CPU
      • Motherboard
      • RAM
      • Hard Disk

    3.7 Input and Output Devices

    • Input devices: keyboard, mouse, scanners, microphones, webcams
    • Output devices: display/monitor, speakers, printers, 3D printers
    • Portable computers: laptops, notebooks, netbooks
    • Integration of computer components into other devices
    • Definition of a computer has expanded to include various devices### Types of Computers
    • Laptops: portable, weigh less than three pounds, and are only 0.68 inches thick
    • Netbooks: extremely light, dependent on the Internet "cloud" for data and application storage, and can run Web browsers and word processors
    • Smartphones: provide telephone, email, location, and calendar services, and function as a highly mobile computer

    Tablet Computers

    • Use a touch screen as their primary input
    • Small enough and light enough to be easily transported
    • Generally have no keyboard and are self-contained inside a rectangular case
    • Examples: Apple iPad, Samsung Galaxy, and Amazon Fire

    Integrated Computing and Internet of Things (IoT)

    • Computing technology is being integrated into everyday products, enhancing their capabilities
    • IoT is a network of billions of devices, each with their own unique network address, that can connect to the Internet for data collection and sharing
    • Examples: automobiles, refrigerators, airplanes, light bulbs, fitness bands, and driverless trucks

    The Commoditization of the Personal Computer

    • The personal computer has become a commodity, with little differentiation between computer models and manufacturers
    • The primary factor controlling their sale is their price
    • Hundreds of manufacturers worldwide create parts for personal computers, which are purchased and assembled
    • Apple is an exception, as they design and manufacture unique products that no one can easily copy, allowing them to charge more

    E-Waste

    • The rapid obsolescence of computers and cell phones creates a growing problem of electronic waste (e-waste)
    • In 2016, approximately 44.7 million metric tonnes of e-waste were created, and by 2020, it is predicted to increase by 17%
    • E-waste contains hazardous materials like cadmium, mercury, lead, and other toxic substances
    • Recycling is a complex and labor-intensive process, and much e-waste is sent abroad for processing, often to China, South Asia, or sub-Saharan Africa

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    Description

    This quiz covers the basics of computer hardware, including digital devices, personal computer components, processing and storing data, and input/output devices.

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