Download questions about computers

QUESTIONS ABOUT COMPUTERS
1. What is a computer?
A computer is a machine that processes information, in other words, it receives
and stores data, performs calculations with this data and presents the results
very quickly.
2. What is Information Technology?
IT is the branch of technology that studies the automated processing of
information.
3. The elements that make up a computer are organized into two groups:
hardware and software. Please, define them.
Hardware consist of all the physical components of the computer. It is
something that can be seen and touched.
Software is comprised of the instructions an data that are responsible for
making the computer work and the information that it processes. It is everything
that we cannot see or touch
4. What are the main hardware components of a computer? Please, give a
brief explanation of them.
The case or tower where there are all the components that form the core of the
computer, and the peripherals, which are computer components that make it
possible for the computer to communicate with the outside.
5. Indicate and give a brief explanation of the main software components of a
computer.
The programs that help us carry out different tasks, and the data which are the
specific manner in which computer can receive the information in order to use it
properly.
6. Indicate whether the following elements are considered hardware or
software: microphone, Internet Explorer, RAM memory card, Open Office,
hard drive, Windows Vista, monitor, spreadsheet, mouse, digital
photography, scanner, Messenger, an MP3 song.
HARDWARE: microphone, RAM memory card, hard drive, monitor, mouse,
scanner.
SOFTWARE: Windows Vista, spreadsheet, digital photography, Messenger, an
MP3 song.
7. What type of electric current reaches the sockets in our houses? What is the
current's voltage?
The current that reaches the sockets in our houses is alternating current. Its
voltage is 230 V.
8. What type of electric current does a computer need to operate? At what
voltage?
A computer needs direct current to operate, normally between 3 and 12 V.
9. What is the purpose of a computer's power supply?
The power supply reduces the voltage received from the electrical power
system to the value that the electronic device needs to operate.
10. Why does it have a fan?
It has a fan in order to prevent it from overheating.
11. What is the motherboard of a computer?
It is a plastic board with a circuit printed on its surface where all the computer’s
elements are connected.
12. What is the purpose of a motherboard?
The motherboard has two functions
1.- To Support other computer’s components
2.- To facilitate the communication between the computer’s various
components
13. List at least four components that are connected to the motherboard.
The microprocessor, the RAM memory, the hard drive and the DVD.
14. What are the traces of the motherboard?
The traces are conductors that make it possible for the computer's various
components to communicate with each otther.
15. What is a microprocessor?
It is an integrated chip or circuit that acts as the computer's brain. This is the
most powerful chip used in computers.
16. What does the microprocessor do? Draw a block diagram that explain this?
The microprocessor is responsible for receiving all the information from the
input peripherals, processing it and sending the results to the output
peripherals.
17. What is the microprocessor comprised of?
It is comprised of hundreds of millions of transistors and other electronic
components which make it possible to handle large volumes of information and
perform mathematical calculations very quickly.
18. Where is the microprocessor installed in a computer?
It is installed on the motherboard in a socket designed especially for it.
19. Why is a fan placed on top of the microprocessor?
To keep it at an adequate temperature and prevent it from becoming damaged.
20. Why do we use RAM memory?
Because it is necessary to store temporarily information (data and programs) in
order to process it and obtain useful results.
21. What does the abbreviation RAM stand for?
RAM stands for Random Access Memory.
22. What happens to the content of the RAM memory when the computer is
turned off?
If we turn off the computer, the information stored in the RAM disappears.
23. Why is it important that a computer has enough RAM memory?
Because if it doesn't, it will not be able to open all the programs it needs at one
time or it will operate very slowly.
24. What does RAM memory physically consist of?
RAM memory is comprised of various integrated circuits (chips) which are
welded onto a plastic board.
25. Where is the RAM memory located in a computer?
The RAM memory is located on the motherboard in a socket called the memory
slot.
26. What do we do if a computer needs more RAM memory?
We can install a new module.
27. What is the purpose of the hard drive?
It is to save files so that we can continue working with they later.
28. Is the data stored on the hard drive erased when the computer is turned off?
No, data are stored permanently on the hard drive.
29. This webpage lists 3 types of hard drives. What are they and what is the
difference between them?
a) connected to the motherboard
b) removable
c) externals
30. List the following memory devices in order from greatest capacity to least
capacity: DVD, diskette, hard drive and CD-ROM.
Hard drive, DVD, CD-ROM, diskette
31. What are the parts of a hard drive? Draw a sketch to explain.
The hard drive is a metal box that contains one o more stacked aluminum disks
(or platters). The disks spin at very high speeds thanks to an electric motor. On
the surface of these disks is a magnetic film. A device called the read/write
head (installed at the end of a pivot arm) records the information onto the
magnetic surface. When necessary, the same head will read the recorded
information and send it back to the computer.
32. CDs and DVDs can be grouped into 3 different types. What are they and
what are their characteristics?
Read Only (They can’t be recorded): CD-ROM, DVD-ROM
Writable (They can be recorded onto just once): CD-R, DVD-R, DVD+R
Rewritable (They can be recorded onto multiple times): CD-RW, DVD-RW,
DVD+RW
33. Why are CDs an DVDs called “optical memories?
Because these units use the light of a laser beam to read and record data on a
disk’s surface.
34. How do CDs record data? And DVDs?
The data is recorded in the shape of microscopic holes or grooves. In the case
of DVDs, the holes or grooves are smaller and closer together than in CD’s,
which makes it possible to store much more information.
35. List the advantages that CDs and DVDs have over diskettes and hard
drives?
CDs and DVDs store much more information than diskettes and aren’t ruined
when are read
CDs and DVDs can be transported more easily than hard drives.
36. Make a table including the optical memory devices you know about and their
capabilities.
37. What are ports and what is their purpose?
Ports are electrical connections that make it possible for the microprocessor to
communicate with the peripherals.
38. Where are the ports located on a desktop computer?
They are usually located in the back. Many computers today also have some
ports in the front to make it easier to connect certain devices, such as digital
cameras, portable hard drives and USB memories.
39. What are the two ways in which ports can be installed on a computer?
They can be integrated into the motherboard or being parts on extension cards
which are connected to the motherboard.
40. Make a drawing of the most common ports. Indicate the name of each and
the peripherals to which they connect.
41. What is the purpose of expansion cards?
They are installed in a computer in order to expand its operation or give it new
capabilities that did not come standard with the equipment.
42. Where are the expansion cards installed?
They are inserted into the motherboard in special slots called expansion slots.
43. Which are the most commonly used expansion cards? What is their
function?
Video card or graphics card: This card converts the graphics information
generated by the computer into a signal that the monitor can interpret in order to
create images.
Sound card: This card transforms the digital sound generated by a computer
into an analog signal that goes into a speaker or headphones in order to be
converted into sound.
USB port expansion card: This card increases the number of USB ports on the
computer.
Network card or Ethernet card: This card makes it possible to connect a PC to a
computer network.
Other expansion cards: Television tuners, WIFI cards, internal modems…
44. Where can we find optical memories? ¿What are they used for? Which are
the most commonly used types?
We can find optical memories everywhere: desktop computers and laptops,
DVD players for television, music systems, video game consoles, etc.
They also have a variety of uses: program distribution, backup copies of
computer information, audio and video storage, etc.
The most commonly used types are CDs and DVDs.
45. Go to the Internet and find out what ‘CD’ and ‘DVD’ stand for.
CD stands for Compact Disk
DVD stands for Digital Video Disk
46. On an optical disk, information is recorded digitally. What does this mean?
This means that it is in the form of a list of “1”s and “0”s (the bits) which follow a
certain order.
47. How is a “1” represented on an optical disk? And a “0”?
A “1” is represented by a step in the spiral of data, when a hole starts or
finishes.
A “0” is represented by the flat space in between two “1”s.
48. What is the spiral of data? How long is it?
The spiral track which winds around from the center of the disk to its outer edge
where the holes are organized one after the other.
The spiral is so long that if we were to extend it in a straight line, it would be a
few miles long.
49. Using any drawings you feel are necessary, explain how a CD or DVD units
reads information.
50. How is a mass-produced CD or DVD recorded?
They are with a process called plastic (polycarbonate) injection and use a metal
mold. The mold contains the information (the holes) and thus the disk is made
already recorded.
51. How is a CD or DVD recorded on a home or office recorder?
A writable disk is used that contains a layer of heat-sensitive ink. This is
originally transparent, but it turns opaque when it is heated. In order to record
information onto the disk, a laser selectively heats the layer of ink, producing
dark areas that do not reflect the light of the reading laser.
52. What is a peripheral?
It is a computer component that allows the computer to communicate with the
outside.
53. What types of peripherals are there?
There are three types: input, output and input/output peripherals.
54. What is an input peripheral?
It is a peripheral that makes it possible to enter information into the computer.
55. What are the most commonly used input peripherals?
Keyboard, mouse, scanner, webcam, microphone, video game controller,
graphics tablet and barcode scanner
56. Briefly explain the purpose of each of the peripherals indicated in the
previous question.
Keyboard It allows us to enter information into the computer manually.
Mouse It makes it possible to interact with a computer by selecting and
activating different areas of the screen.
Scanner It is used to digitalize and input into the computer text and images
that are printed on paper.
Webcam It captures images that are entered into the computer.
Microphone It captures sound and converts it into an electrical signal.
Video game controller It is designed to easily give orders to game programs,
so that the experience of playing with the computer is as fun as possible.
Graphics tablet It is used to directly draw into the computer.
Barcode scanner These scanners are used in stores and supermarkets to
read the product’s barcode and quickly determine their price.
57. What is an output peripheral?
It is a peripheral that allow the computer to send its information to the outside.
58. Which are the most commonly used output peripherals?
Monitor, printer, speakers and plotter.
59. Briefly explain the purpose of each of the output peripherals indicated in the
previous question.
Monitor It allows the computer to visually communicate the information it has
processed.
Printer It transfers information onto paper.
Speakers They convert the electrical signals that come from the computer
into sound.
Plotter It prints out large-size plans and images.
60. What is an input/output peripheral?
It is a peripheral that enters information into the computer as well as obtain
information from it. We can say that there is a bi-directional data flow between
these types of peripherals and the computer.
61. What are the most commonly used input/output peripherals?
Hard drive, CD-ROM and DVD reader/writer, USB memory, modem and touch
screen.
62. What is the purpose of each of the peripherals indicated in the previous
question?
Hard drive It stores the data and instructions that the computer needs to
operate and to supply this information when necessary.
CD-ROM and DVD reader/writer The reader/writer records information onto
an optical medium: a CD-ROM or DVD. It also reads the information they
contain.
USB memory It is used to record information and transfer it to another
computer.
Modem It is used to connect a computer to the Internet via a telephone line or
fiber-optic line.
Touch screen It makes it possible to enter information into the computer by
directly touching it.