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hardware Flashcards

(72 cards)

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1
Q

Which component performs arithmetic and logic operations in the CPU?

A

ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)

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2
Q

What is the role of the Program Counter (PC) in the fetch-decode-execute cycle?

A

It holds the address of the next instruction to be fetched.

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3
Q

What is the main difference between RAM and ROM?

A

RAM is volatile; ROM is non-volatile.

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4
Q

Where are both data and instructions stored in Von Neumann architecture?

A

In the same memory unit.

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5
Q

Which register holds the instruction currently being executed?

A

CIR (Current Instruction Register)

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6
Q

What does the Memory Address Register (MAR) do?

A

It stores the address of the memory location to be accessed.

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7
Q

What is the main role of the Control Unit (CU)?

A

It coordinates and controls all operations in the CPU.

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8
Q

What does clock speed measure in a CPU?

A

The number of instructions the CPU can process per second.

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9
Q

What is the purpose of the accumulator?

A

To temporarily store intermediate results from calculations.

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10
Q

What is the purpose of a bus in CPU architecture?

A

To transfer data and control signals between components.

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11
Q

What are the three main stages of the fetch-decode-execute cycle?

A

Fetch: The CPU fetches the instruction from memory using the Program Counter (PC) and stores it in the Current Instruction Register (CIR).

Decode: The Control Unit decodes the instruction to determine what action is needed.

Execute: The CPU carries out the instruction using the ALU or other components.

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12
Q

What is an input device?

A

Hardware that allows users to input data or commands into a computer system.

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13
Q

What is an output device?

A

Hardware that receives information from a computer and presents it to the user in an understandable form.

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14
Q

Name three input devices that capture images or videos.

A

Digital Camera, Webcam, Three-Dimensional (3D) Scanner.

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15
Q

What does a barcode scanner do?

A

Reads barcodes to capture product information for stock and checkout.

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16
Q

Where are barcode scanners commonly used?

A

Supermarkets, warehouses, and libraries.

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17
Q

How does a microphone function as an input device?

A

Captures analogue sound and converts it into digital signals.

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18
Q

What is the difference between resistive, infra-red, and capacitive touch screens?

A

Resistive: Detects touch by pressing a flexible screen layer.

Infra-red: Detects touch by interrupting infrared light beams.

Capacitive: Detects touch through changes in electrical charge on the screen.

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19
Q

What is a 2D scanner used for?

A

Captures flat, two-dimensional images of documents or photos for storage or editing.

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20
Q

What is the role of an actuator as an output device?

A

Converts energy into motion to perform physical tasks, like moving a robot arm or opening a valve.

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21
Q

How does a laser printer work?

A

Uses heat from a laser to fuse toner powder onto paper.

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22
Q

What are the advantages of an LED screen?

A

Produces bright, high-quality images and is energy efficient.

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23
Q

What factors should be considered when choosing an input or output device?

A

Cost – Is the device within the budget?

Speed – How fast can it input/output data?

Accuracy – Does it give precise results?

User needs – Is it suitable for the task (e.g., disability needs)?

Compatibility – Does it work with existing systems?

Reliability – Is it durable and unlikely to fail?

Portability – Does it need to be moved or used on the go?

Environment – Will it work well in the intended location (e.g., noise, lighting)?

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24
Q

What is a sensor?

A

An input device that measures a physical property of its environment (e.g., light, temperature).

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25
What is a monitoring system?
A system that tracks the state of something, gathering data and issuing warnings.
26
What is a control system?
A system that controls a process based on sensor input, e.g., switching a heater on/off.
27
Define a feedback loop.
A process where outputs are recycled as inputs to create a continuous cycle.
28
: What does an acoustic sensor measure?
Sound levels.
29
What does a proximity sensor detect?
The distance or position of objects, often used in robotics to prevent collisions.
30
Which sensor type measures temperature?
Temperature sensor.
31
What type of sensor helps drivers when reversing?
Proximity sensor.
32
Is a system that switches a heater on/off based on temperature readings a monitoring or control system?
Control system.
33
What is primary storage?
Primary storage is storage directly accessed by the CPU. It holds data and instructions the CPU needs while the computer is on.
34
Compare primary and secondary storage in terms of volatility and capacity.
Primary storage is volatile (except ROM) and has small capacity; secondary storage is non-volatile and has large capacity.
35
Why is primary storage needed?
Because it has faster access times than secondary storage, speeding up operations like the Fetch-Execute Cycle.
36
What is RAM?
RAM (Random Access Memory) is volatile primary storage directly connected to the CPU, storing data and instructions currently in use. It is read/write and has larger capacity than ROM.
37
What happens to RAM content when the power is turned off?
It is lost because RAM is volatile.
38
Give two examples of data a smart TV could store in RAM.
Current channel being watched, running apps or web browser, current volume, data being buffered.
39
What is ROM?
ROM (Read Only Memory) is non-volatile primary storage that holds start-up instructions (BIOS) needed to start the computer. Data can only be read.
40
What is the main difference between RAM and ROM?
RAM is volatile and read/write, used for temporary data; ROM is non-volatile and read-only, used for permanent start-up instructions.
41
What is secondary storage?
Non-volatile storage used to store data and programs permanently, even when the computer is off.
42
Name the three types of secondary storage.
Magnetic, Solid-state (flash memory), and Optical storage.
43
What are some characteristics to consider when choosing secondary storage?
Capacity, speed, cost, portability, durability, and reliability.
44
How does magnetic storage store data?
Using magnetised iron particles on spinning platters, representing binary 0s and 1s.
45
Give one advantage and one disadvantage of magnetic storage.
Advantage: High capacity and low cost per GB. Disadvantage: Moving parts can be damaged; noisy.
46
What is solid-state (flash) memory?
Non-volatile storage using electronic circuits and transistors to store data as charges, no moving parts.
47
Name two examples of solid-state storage devices.
SSDs (Solid State Drives) and USB flash drives.
48
What are advantages of solid-state storage?
Very fast read/write speeds, durable (no moving parts), small and portable, silent.
49
What are disadvantages of solid-state storage?
High cost per GB, limited read/write cycles, generally smaller capacity than magnetic drives.
50
How does optical storage work?
Uses lasers to burn pits and lands on disks which represent binary data, read by laser reflections.
51
Give examples of optical storage media.
CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays.
52
What is virtual memory?
Virtual memory is space on secondary storage used as temporary RAM when physical RAM is full.
53
Why is virtual memory slower than RAM?
Because it uses secondary storage, which has slower read/write speeds than primary RAM.
54
How can adding more RAM improve performance over using virtual memory?
More RAM reduces the need for slow virtual memory, speeding up data access and overall system performance.
55
What is cloud storage?
Data storage on remote servers accessible via the internet, typically using magnetic or solid-state storage.
56
List two advantages of cloud storage.
Accessible from anywhere with internet, scalable storage capacity.
57
List two disadvantages of cloud storage.
Requires internet connection, potential security and privacy concerns.
58
Why might a school be concerned about switching to cloud storage?
Loss of access if internet fails, ongoing subscription costs, and possible data security issues.
59
What is a Network Interface Card (NIC)?
A NIC is hardware required for a computer to connect to a network; it can be wired or wireless and allows sending/receiving data over a network.
60
Name some essential network hardware components.
Router, Wireless Access Point (WAP), Switch, Transmission media, Network Interface Card (NIC).
61
What is a MAC address?
A MAC (Media Access Control) address is a unique, static identifier assigned to a NIC at manufacture on a piece of hardware, used for communication on a local area network (LAN).
62
How is a MAC address formatted?
It consists of 12 hexadecimal digits (48 bits), usually grouped in pairs; the first three pairs identify the manufacturer (OUI), the last three are the NIC’s serial number.
63
Does a MAC address change if a device moves to a different network?
No, a MAC address is static and does not change regardless of the network.
64
What is an IP address?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique identifier assigned to devices communicating over the Internet or WAN.
65
What are the two types of IP addresses?
Static (fixed) and Dynamic (can change).
66
Does an IP address change if a device moves to a different network?
Yes, the IP address changes depending on the network.
67
Describe IPv4 addressing.
IPv4 uses 4 blocks of decimal numbers (0-255) separated by full stops, totaling 4 bytes (32 bits), providing over 4 billion unique addresses.
68
Describe IPv6 addressing.
IPv6 uses 8 blocks of 4 hexadecimal digits separated by colons, totaling 16 bytes (128 bits), providing a vastly larger number of unique addresses.
69
Give two key differences between IP addresses and MAC addresses.
IP addresses can change (dynamic) and are used on WAN/Internet; MAC addresses are fixed (static) and used on LAN
70
What is the function of a router in a network?
A router directs data packets between different networks, connects LANs to the internet (WAN), assigns IP addresses, and manages data traffic.
71
List three tasks performed by a router.
1) Send and receive data packets; 2) Connect a local network to the internet; 3) Assign IP addresses to devices.
72
How does a router help maintain a stable connection?
By managing and prioritising data traffic on the network.

Computer science (3 decks)

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