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Computer Technology & Impact > Discovering Computers Mod 3 > Flashcards

Discovering Computers Mod 3 Flashcards

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1
Q

The device itself and its components such as wires, cases, switches, and electronic circuits.

A

Hardware

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2
Q

A complex integrated circuit consisting of millions of electronic parts and is primarily responsible for converting input into meaningful output.

A

Central processing unit (CPU)

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3
Q

Embedded wires that data travels in and out of the CPU through.

A

Bus

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4
Q

A processor with multiple cores.

A

Multi-core processor

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5
Q

Stores frequently used data next to the processor so that it can easily and quickly be retrieved.

A

Processor cache

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6
Q

Manages the flow of instructions within the processor.

A

Control unit

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7
Q

Responsible for performing arithmetic operations in the CPU.

A

Arithmetic logic unit (ALU)

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8
Q

The storage location that is part of every computer and that temporarily stores running apps and document data while a computer is on.

A

Random Access memory (RAM)

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9
Q

A circuit board inside a computer that contains the microprocessor, the computer memory, and other internal devices.

A

Motherboard

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10
Q

Memory that loses its contents when power is removed.

A

Volatile memory

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11
Q

Does not lose its contents when power is removed.

A

Non-volatile memory.

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12
Q

Permanently installed on your computer and is attached to the motherboard. Contains the BIOS (basic input/output system), which tells your computer how to start

A

Read-only memory (ROM)

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13
Q

A startup sequence that tests all computer components for proper operation, performed by the BIOS

A

Power-on self test (POST)

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14
Q

The instructions on the ROM chip.

A

Firmware

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15
Q

The capability of an operating system to temporarily store data on a storage medium until it can be swapped into RAM.

A

Virtual memory.

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16
Q

The area of the hard drive temporarily used to store data that cannot fit in RAM

A

Swap file/paging file

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17
Q

The software or operating system a computer uses.

A

Platform

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18
Q

Typically consists of the system unit, monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

A

Desktop computer

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19
Q

The case on a desktop that contains and protects the motherboard, hard drive, memory, and other electronic components.

A

System unit/chassis

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20
Q

Similar to a desktop computer, but the monitor and system unit are housed together.

A

All-in-one computer

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21
Q

Device such as the keyboard, mouse, printer, or speakers that can connect to and extend the capability of a computer.

A

Add-On Device/peripheral device

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22
Q

A slot on the computer where you can attach a peripheral device, ex: USB

A

Port

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23
Q

An external device that connects several USB ports.

A

USB hub

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24
Q

Data that has been processed to become meaningful.

A

Information

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25
Raw facts such as text or numbers.
Data
26
Any data and instructions entered into the memory of a device
Input
27
Information processed into a useful form such as text, graphics, audio, video, or any combination of these
Output
28
Communicates instructions and commands to a computer
Input device
29
Conveys information from the computer to the user
Output device.
30
A number system that has 2 digits, 0 and 1.
Binary system.
31
The smallest unit of data a computer can process.
Bit/binary digit.
32
Eight bits grouped together
Byte
33
An 8 bit coding scheme. 8 bits are used to represent upper case and lower case letters, mathematical operators, and logical operations.
ASCII (American standard code for information interchange)
34
An 8 bit coding scheme that is an extension of ASCII and can support more than 65000 symbols and characters, including Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and other pictorial characters.
Unicode
35
An input device that contains keys you can press to enter letters, numbers, and symbols.
Keyboard
36
Used to point to and select specific objects on the computer screen.
Pointing device.
37
A touch-sensitive flat surface on which you drag your finger to move the pointer on the screen.
Touchpad.
38
The most common pointing device used with computers, fits under your hand and can connect to your computer either with a wire or wirelessly.
Mouse
39
A stationary pointing device with a ball anchored inside a casing as well as 2 or more buttons.
Trackball
40
A display that lets you touch areas of the screen to interact with software.
Touch screen
41
Can respond to multiple fingers touching the screen simultaneously
Multitouch screens.
42
A pen shaped digital tool for making selections and entering information on a touchscreen.
Stylus
43
A small pen shaped device that you can use to draw, tap icons, or tap keys on an on-screen keyboard, similar to a stylus, but is more capable because it has programmable buttons.
Digital pen
44
Use to enter voice or sound data into a computer.
Microphone
45
A type of digital video camera that captures video and still images as well as audio input, often built-in to your device.
Web cam
46
An input device that converts an existing paper image into an electronic file that you can open and work with on your computer.
Scanner
47
And input device you use when playing a video game
Game controller
48
Has a handheld vertical lever mounted on a base that you move in different directions to Control Actions of the Simulated Vehicle Or player.
Joystick
49
Is held in both hands and controls the movement and actions of players or objects.
Game pad
50
A flat electronic device divided into panels that users press with their feet in response to instructions from the video game.
Dance pad
51
A type of game controller that mirrors the functionality of a steering wheel in an automobile.
Wheel
52
Allows users to guide on screen elements with air gestures.
Motion sensing controller
53
Use to convey audio output.
Speakers
54
Consist of a pair of small listening devices that go over your ears and are attached to a band that you place on your head.
Headphones
55
Speakers that are small enough to place in your ears
Earbuds
56
Include one or more headphones for output and a microphone for input.
Headsets
57
Can display output from a computer on a large surface such as a wall or screen.
Projectors
58
Converts Text to Speech.
Voice synthesizer
59
Devices that will begin functioning properly as soon as you connect them to your computer.
Plug and play
60
A program that allows your computer or device to issue controls to a separate device such as a printer, monitor, or video card.
Device driver
61
Measure the speed at which a processor can execute instructions
Clock speed
62
The smallest unit of time a process can measure. The efficiency of a CPU is measured by instructions per cycle (IPC).
Cycle
63
A test run by a laboratory or other organization to determine processor speed and other performance factors.
Benchmark.
64
Determines the speed at which data travels
Bus width/word size.
65
Malicious software, such as viruses and spyware, that can delete or corrupt files and gather personal information.
Malware.
66
A device that maintains power to computer equipment in case of an interruption in the primary electrical source.
Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
67
A device that prevents power fluctuations from damaging electronic components.
Surge surpressor
68
Can defend a computer equipment from spikes, surges, and noise.
Surge protector
69
An electrical disturbance that can degrade communications.
Noise
70
Reverting all settings back to their default or migrating back to the operating system's previous version.
Restore.
71
A circuit board that processes image signals.
Video card
72
Copying files from a device such as a computer's hard drive that are then stored in a remote location such as the cloud
Data backup
73
The "base station" for the wireless devices, sending and receiving wireless signals between all devices, as well as providing the gateway to the external internet.
Wireless routers
74
Most common storage medium, Can store data magnetically or they can use solid state storage.
Hard drive
75
A hard drive without moving parts and is faster and more durable than magnetic drives.
Solid state drive (SSD)
76
Can add storage capacity to your computer, is housed in a separate case, and typically connect to your computer using a USB cable.
External hard drive
77
Uses laser technology for storage and playback. Includes CDS, DVDs, and Blu-ray disks.
Optical media
78
Involves storing electronic files on a remote server connected to the internet, not on a local computer.
Cloud storage
79
Device is on a network.
Nodes
80
A device that provides a Central point for cables in a network and transfers all data to all devices.
Hub
81
Similar to a hub, However, it transfers data only to the intended recipient.
Switch
82
A device that connects 2 or more networks and directs or routes the flow of information along the networks.
Router
83
A communications device that connects a communications channel, such as the internet, to a sending or receiving device, such as a computer.
Modem
84
A circuit board that connects a computer to a wired or wireless network.
Network interface card (NIC)
85
A small piece of semiconducting material usually silicon on which the integrated circuits are etched.
Chip
86
Contains many microscopic pathways capable of carrying electrical current
Integrated circuit
87
Acts as an electronic switch that opens or closes the circuit for electrical charges.
Transistor
88
Small quartz crystal circuit that controls the timing of all computer operations.
System clock
89
Each tick of a system clock.
Clock cycle
90
can execute more than one instruction per clock cycle
Superscalar
91
One cycle per second.
Hertz
92
One billion ticks of the system clock per second.
Gigahertz (GHz)
93
A small ceramic or metal component with fins on its surface that absorbs and disperses heat produced by electrical components, such as a processor, to provide additional cooling.
Heat sink
94
Uses continuous flow of fluid such as water and glycol in a process that transfers the heated fluid away from the processor to a radiator type grill, which cools it and then returns the cooled fluid to the processor.
Liquid cooling technology
95
Rests below a laptop and protects the computer from overheating.
Cooling pad
96
A set of 4 basic operations A processor repeats for every instruction. Fetching, decoding, executing, and storing.
Machine cycle.
97
Process of obtaining a program or an application instruction or data item from memory
Fetching
98
The process of translating the instruction into signals the computer can execute.
Decoding
99
The process of carrying out the commands.
Executing
100
Writing the result to memory, not to a storage medium.
Storing
101
Small high-speed storage locations that temporarily hold data and instructions.
Registers
102
Aches and pains associated with repeated and long-term usage of devices.
Repetitive strain injury (RSI)
103
An applied science that specifies the design and arrangement of items that you use so that you and the items interact efficiently and safely.
Ergonomics
104
A behavioral hazard which occurs when a user is obsessed with using a technology device and cannot walk away from it without feeling extreme anxiety.
Technology addiction
105
A form of cyberbullying in which documents are shared digitally that give private or personal information about a person
Doxxing
106
Involves the use of technology to stalk another person through email, text messages, phone calls, and other forms of communication
Cyberstalking
107
Electronic waste from discarded digital devices.
E-waste

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