Hardware Basics
These are the physical parts of a computer that you can touch.
What is hardware?
This type of memory is temporary and only works while the power is on.
What is RAM (Random Access Memory)?
Instructions that tell the computer what to do are called this.
What is software?
Devices like keyboards, mice, and microphones that let users send information to the computer.
What are input devices?
This device acts as the “traffic controller” of a network, forwarding data to the right place.
What is a router?
The smallest unit of data in a computer, represented as a 0 or 1.
What is a bit?
This type of memory is permanent and stores the BIOS.
What is ROM (Read Only Memory)?
Software that allows users to perform tasks like writing papers, browsing the web, or playing games.
What is application software?
Devices like monitors, speakers, and printers that let the computer send information to the user.
What are output devices?
A small network connecting computers in the same building.
What is a LAN (Local Area Network)?
Eight bits grouped together form this unit of digital data.
What is a byte?
External memory devices like USBs, CDs, and hard drives fall into this category.
What is secondary storage?
Software that manages hardware, runs behind the scenes, and includes operating systems.
What is system software?
A device that turns physical data like sound or touch into digital signals the computer can understand.
What is an input device (example: microphone or touchscreen)?
A large network that connects multiple LANs across long distances.
What is a WAN (Wide Area Network)?
This component executes instructions from programs, often called the “brain” of the computer.
What is the CPU (Central Processing Unit)?
This part of the computer connects everything together and provides the clock signal.
What is the motherboard?
This system software loads into memory when the computer is first turned on.
What is the boot program?
A device that transforms digital information into a physical object, such as a 3D printer.
What is an output device?
A computer connects to a router physically using this type of port and cable.
What is an Ethernet port (and Ethernet cable)?
These electronic circuits (AND, OR, NOT) process binary inputs to carry out all computer operations.
What are logic gates?
This type of storage is very fast, volatile, and used for running programs.
What is primary storage (RAM)?
A set of instructions written by a programmer to perform a specific task, often in languages like C or Java.
What is a program?
In an airplane cockpit, sensors gathering altitude and direction act as these, while dials act as these.
What are input devices (sensors) and output devices (dials)?
his type of card allows a computer to connect wirelessly to a router using radio waves.
What is a Wi-Fi card (wireless internet card)?