Lifting the Lid: How Computers Work
Part 1: Computer Components
- The video introduces input and output devices. List three examples of each.
- What is the general term that applies to all of these devices?
- What is an earthing lead used for and how is it attached?
- What does CPU stand for? What is it also known as?
- Why does the CPU have its own fan?
- What does the term RAM stand for?
- What does the term BIOS stand for?
- What is the role of BIOS? Why is it important for it to keep its memory after the computer is switched off?
- How does BIOS maintain its memory when the computer is switched off?
- What are two types of cards illustrated in the video?
- Which card makes use of the AGP slot on the motherboard?
- Which card makes use of the PCI slot on the motherboard?
- What does the term ROM stand for?
- Describe one type of removable storage.
- Describe the role of the hard drive.
- List a device that uses a Firewire connection. What is the advantage for this device in using the Firewire connection?
- How is data stored on a CD-ROM?
- What type of mechanism or device is used to read the data from a CD?
Part 2: How Computers Work
- How many digits are in the binary system?
- Write down the digits that make up the binary system.
- Use binary to write the equivalent to the decimal numbers 1 to 10.
- What is the decimal equivalent of 1111 in binary?
Part 3: The Peripherals
- Describe how a mouse works.
- What is a pixel?
- Describe how a monitor uses pixels to create an image.
- Draw a diagram of the internal mechanism of a hard drive and use it to describe how a hard drive works.
- Why do we need to format a disc for use in a computer?
Part 4: Bits and Bytes
- Describe how RAM works.
- What does the term serial access mean and how does it compare with random access?
- How many bits in a byte?
- How many bytes in a megabyte?
- How many bits in a gigabyte?
- What are the basic functions of the CPU?
- Why is binary code suitable for use with computers?
- What is the most basic computer language called?
- What is the role of the clock in a computer? What units are clock speeds measured in?
- Does the clock speed fully determine the relative speed of the computer? Explain your answer.
NB: Video segments retrieved 2016-03-06 from <http://www.films.com/id/5115>.
[This page last updated 2020-12-23 at 12h45 Toronto local time.]
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