3.1 Computers and their components

Question 1

Memory cache

Answer 1

high speed memory external to processor which stores data which the processor will need again

Question 2

Random access memory (RAM)

Answer 2

primary memory unit that can be written to or read from

Question 3

Read-only memory (ROM)

Answer 3

primary memory unit that can only be read from

Question 4

Dynamic RAM (DRAM)

Answer 4

type of RAM chip that needs to be constantly refreshed

Question 5

Static RAM (SRAM)

Answer 5

type of RAM chop that uses flip-flops and does not need to refresh

Question 6

Refreshed

Answer 6

requirement to change a component to retain its electronic state

Question 7

Programmable ROM (PROM)

Answer 7

type of ROM chip that can be programmed once

Question 8

Erasable PROM (EPROM)

Answer 8

type of ROM that can be programmed more than once using ultraviolet (UV) light

Question 9

Electronically EPROM (EEPROM)

Answer 9

a type of ROM that can be modified by the user, which can then be erased and written to repeatedly using pulsed voltages

Question 10

Hard disk drive (HDD)

Answer 10

type of magnetic storage device that uses spinning disks

Question 11

Latency

Answer 11

the lag in a system

for example, the time to find a track on a hard disk

Question 12

Fragmented

Answer 12

storage of data in non-consecutive sectors

for example, due to the editing and deletion of old data

Question 13

Removable HDD

Answer 13

portable hard disk drive that is external to the computer
can be connected using a USB part when required
often used as a device to back up data

Question 14

Solid state drive (SSD)

Answer 14

storage media with no moving parts that relies on movement of electron

Question 15

Flash memory

Answer 15

a type of EEPROM

particularly suited to use in drives such as SSDs, memory cards and memory sticks

Question 16

Optical storage

Answer 16

CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs that use laser light to read and write data

Question 17

Duel layering

Answer 17

used in DVDs

meaning there are two recording layers

Question 18

Birefringence

Answer 18

a reading problem with DVDs caused by refraction of laser light into two beams

Question 19

Binder 3D printing

Answer 19

3D printing method that uses a two-stage pass

the first stage uses dry powder and the second stage uses a binding agent

Question 20

Direct 3D printing

Answer 20

3D printing technique where print head moves in the x, y and z directions
layers of melted material are built up using nozzles like an inkjet printer

Question 21

Digital to analogue converter (DAC)

Answer 21

needed to convert digital data into electric currents that can drive motors, actuators and relays, for example

Question 22

Analogue to digital converter (ADC)

Answer 22

needed to convert analogue data (read from sensors, for example) into a form understood by the computer

Question 23

Organic LED (OLED)

Answer 23

uses movement of electrons between cathode and anode to produce an onscreen image
generates its own light so no back lighting required

Question 24

Screen resolution

Answer 24

number of pixels in the horizontal and vertical directions on a television/computer screen

Question 25

Touch screen

Answer 25

screen on which the touch of a finger or stylus allows selection or manipulation of a screen image
usually use capacitive or resistive technology

Question 26

Capacitive

Answer 26

type of touch screen technology based on glass layers forming a capacitor, where fingers touching the screen cause a change in the electric field

Question 27

Resistive

Answer 27

type of touch screen technology
when a finger touches the screen, the glass layer touches the plastic layer, completing the circuit and causing a current to flow at that point

Question 28

Virtual reality headset

Answer 28

apparatus worn on the head that covers the eyes like a pair of goggles
gives the user the feeling ‘of being there’ by immersing them totally in the virtual reality experience

Question 29

Sensor

Answer 29

input device that reads physical data from its surroundings