Computer Hardware components Question and Answer

FILL IN THE BLANKS:

• A physical components of a computer which we can touch and feel are known as hardware.

• Motherboard is the main circuit board of computer that holds the most essential components of the
computer system.

• PCI serves as a connection between the motherboard and any connected hardware.

• Hard disk is also known as Winchester disk.

• The picture on a monitor is made up of thousands small colored dots called pixels.

•State True or False

•Hardware and software are independent of each other. False(interdependent)

•A motherboard is mounted outside the CPU cabinet . False(inside)

•Parallel port is used for devices that do not require high speed transmission . False

•Keyboard is one of the most important input device used to input data. True

•A digital camera can take only still photographs. False (A digital camera can take both videos and still
photographs.)

•Multiple Choice Questions

3. Dot-Matrix is an example of……printer.

(a)Impact (b)Non-impact(c)Manual

4. The data transfer rate of CD-ROM is measured in…….

(a)Rotation per minute (b)kilobytes per second (c) none of these.

5. Flash drive is also called………

(a)Pen drive (b)Thumb drive (c)All of these

•ANSWER THE FOLLOWING:

1. What are the two major components of a computer? Explain them in brief.
Ans: The major components of a computer are:- (a)Hardware: The physical components of a
computer , which we can touch and feel are known as hardware. E.g. Keyboard,Mouse,Monitor
 etc. (b)Software:- Set of instructions given to computer to perform specific task. E.g. -Word-pad,
Calculator etc.
2. What is a motherboard ? What does it contain?
Ans: A motherboard is the main circuit board of a computer that holds the most essential
components of the computer system . Motherboard contains: • The processor chip • BIOS •
Memory chips • External storage controllers for video display and sound • Expansion slots for
connecting additional circuit boards
3. What is the main unit of computer ? What is its function?
Ans: CPU is the main unit of computer . It controls all the instructions it receives from hardware
and software running on a computer.
4. What is a modem ? Mention its type.
Ans: MODEM stands for modulator demodulator. It allows a computer to send or receive
information through telephone lines by converting digital data into an analog signals. There are
three types of Modem:- a) Internal Modem. b) External Modem. c) PC card Modem

5. Write short notes on the following:

(i) SMPS:SMPS stands for switched-mode power supply. It transfers electric power from a source
to low voltage direct current.
(ii) Heat Sink : A heat sink is an electronic device , which is designed to disperse the heat
generated by the CPU.
(iii) Parallel Port : It transfers several bits of data together at one time. It is used for devices that
requires high speed data transmission such as printers.
(iv) Flash Drive : It is used to transfer audio, video, and data files from hard drive of one
computer to another

Fill in the blanks

Question 1

A computer system coordinates between hardware and software.

Question 2

A computer is an electronic data processing machine.

Question 3

The CPU is considered to be the brain of a computer system.

Question 4
Hardware and software are complementary to each other.

Question 5

A byte is the smallest unit of memory which represents a character in a computer.

Question 6

A set of computer programs with the help of which the system works, is known as software.

Question 7

ROM (Read Only Memory) is also called as non-volatile memory.

Question 8

A DVD is a silver-coloured disk with a diameter of 4.75 inches.

Question 9

Secondary memory is known as an auxiliary memory of the computer system.

Question 10

Ports are the connecting nodes to interface the peripheral devices with the processor.

Name the following

Question 1

Two application softwares

Answer

1. MS Paint
2. Microsoft Excel

Question 2

Two system softwares

Answer

1. Windows 10
 2. Linux

Question 3

Four major parts of a computer system

Answer

1. Central Processing Unit

2. Memory
3. Input
4. Output

Question 4

Two types of primary memory

Answer

1. Random Access Memory

2. Read Only Memory

Short Answer Questions

Question 1

Define System Software.

Answer

System software is a set of one or more programs designed to control the operations of a
computer system. They support the running of other softwares and communicate with the
peripheral devices.

For example, operating system.

Question 2

Define the term 'hardware' with an example.

Answer

Hardware refers to the machinery and to the various components and equipment of the computer
system. It refers to all the physical devices of the computer system.
For example, monitor, keyboard etc.

Question 3

Define software. How is it classified?

Answer

Software refers to a set of computer programs, procedures and associated documents that
describe how the programs are to be used. It is a collection of programs that aim at enhancing the
capabilities of the hardware.

Software are classified into two types:

1. System software
2. Application software

Question 4

What is meant by the term 'memory'? What are its types?

Answer

Memory is the basic unit of a computer where it can store data and instructions.

Memory is of two types-

1. Primary Memory
2. Secondary Memory

Differentiate between the following

Question 1

Hardware and Software

Answer

Hardware Software

It refers to the programs that enable a computer to perform

It is required to store and run a software.
specific tasks.

Hardware starts functioning once a software is Software is installed on the hardware to deliver its set of
 Hardware Software

loaded. instructions.

Hardware is physical in nature. Software is logical in nature.

There are more chances of failure in hardware Software does not have a failure rate and hence, is more
devices. reliable.

Hardware components can be seen and

Software can be viewed at the time of execution/loading.
touched.

Question 2

System Software and Application Software

Answer

System Software Application Software

It is designed to control the operations of a It is designed to carry out specific tasks such as creating documents
computer system. etc.

These programs help in the running of other These programs allow a computer to perform useful tasks beyond
softwares. the running of the system itself.

For example- Windows 10 For example- MS Word

Question 3

Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM)

Answer
 Random Access Memory (RAM) Read Only Memory (ROM)

Data or instructions can randomly be read as well The stored information can only be read but new
as written onto it. information cannot be written onto it.

Any information stored in it is lost when the power The information in ROM remains intact even if the power
supply is switched-off. supply is switched-off.

Question 4

Primary Memory and Secondary Memory

Answer

Primary Memory Secondary Memory

It is the auxiliary memory from where stored data can be

It is the main memory of the computer system.
retrieved.

Data and instructions get erased as soon as the Data or instructions are stored for future use, even when the
computer is switched off. computer has been switched off.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRIMAR AND SECONDARY MEMORY

Primary Memory

It is the main memory of the computer system.

Data and instructions get erased as soon as the computer is switched off.

Secondary Memory

It is the auxiliary memory from where stored data can be retrieved.

Data or instructions are stored for future use, even when the computer has been switched off.
Long Answer Questions

Question 1

Hardware and software are complementary to each other. Explain.

Answer

Hardware refers to all the visible devices which are assembled together to build a computer
system. Software refers to the computer programs that are loaded into the computer system. The
blending of software and hardware gives life to a computer system.

Though hardware is the physical part of a computer, it is nothing unless it has a software to
control it. In a way, hardware is like a car without a driver. Software is a set of instructions that
tells the hardware what to do and how to perform the requested actions.

Hence, both are essential to get the work done. Hardware and software are complementary to
each other.

Question 2

What is a modem? What are its types? Explain.

Answer

A modem is a device that modulates outgoing digital signals from a computer or other digital
devices to analog signals. It also demodulates the incoming analog signals and converts them to
digital signals for the digital device.

Modems are of three types-

1. Internal modem — These are attached to the internal slot of the motherboard. These are
categorised as full duplex and half duplex which are used for fax and internet
communications. They can also be used for data and voice communication.

2. External modem — It is a small box connected to the communication port of the

computer. It works similar to the internal modem. The only difference is that it is placed
outside the CPU box.
 3. USB modem — It refers to any type of data/fax/voice modem device which can be
connected to a computer using the USB port. It looks just like a USB flash drive but is
smaller in size.

Question 3

What is meant by the term 'ports'? Explain the different types of ports.

Answer

Ports are the connecting nodes to interface the peripheral devices with the processor. They act as
a bridge between the external devices and the CPU for data communication.

The different types of ports are as follows:

1. Serial port — It is used to supply data serially i.e., bit by bit. It uses a single wire for
communication. This port takes much time to transfer data i.e., it transfers a byte in eight
tries. Serial ports are usually available with 9 pins or 24 pins and allow connections of
mouse, modem etc.

2. Parallel port — This type of port is available with a 24 pins female connector and is
capable of transmitting eight bit signals at a time i.e., the bits travel parallel to each other.
The transfer rate is eight times faster than a serial port. This port is basically to connect
CD-writers, scanners, printers, hard disks etc.

3. USB port — This port is usually designed to connect printers, plotters, mouse, joystick,
pen drives, digital cameras etc. with a single plug arrangement. It avoids pin
configuration of the ports.

Question 4

In what ways are DVDs more useful than CDs?

Answer

A DVD is a silver coloured disk with a diameter of 4.75 inches. DVDs are more useful than CDs
as:

1. A DVD is superior to a CD in terms of its storage capacity. A CD-ROM stores up to 700

MB whereas a DVD can store up to 4.7 GB.

2. The performance of a DVD is also superior to that of a CD-ROM.

Question 5

What are the main functions of the CPU? Explain.

Answer

Central Processing Unit is 'the brain of the computer' and takes all the major decisions in a
computer system. CPU consists of three main components. The functions of these components
are as follows:

1. Arithmetic and Logic Unit(ALU) — All the arithmetical and logical operations are
performed through this unit. An arithmetical operation includes addition, subtraction,
multiplication, division and logical operations include all types of comparisons.

2. Control Unit — This unit controls each and every part of the computer system along
with the peripherals. It retrieves data and instructions from the memory and sends the
commands to various parts of the computer system.

3. Memory Unit — This unit provides space for storing data, instructions, intermediate
results and final results.