Any time you use a computing device to complete a task within this online course (like completing this homework problem, submitting a quiz, writing a program, or answering activity questions), you are naturally using your computer's built-in hardware. Think about the components of the computer you are using right now. How does each component help enable you to access and complete this assignment?
The list on the right contains a description of things that need to happen for you to answer online questions in your web browser. Drag each description underneath the hardware component on the left most responsible for supporting that feature.
Fill in the missing pieces:
Your computer case
Your computer motherboard
Your CPU
The RAM in your computer
Your computer's graphics processor
Your computer's hard drive
Your computer's monitor or screen
Your computer's mouse
Your computer's keyboard
Choose from the following choices:
Your CPU, RAM, and other processors and storage devices need to be connected together
All other hardware components need to be housed together in a protective shell
The images and data on your screen are output to your eyes as colored light
Your web browser must store data about the current web page in primary memory
Your web browser's program code must be executed to fetch and display a page
You are able to type in your username and password when logging into the course
The current screen you are viewing must be built from a series of images and data
You are able to navigate between web pages and click on buttons
Your web browser's program code must be stored and read when you launch your web browser
Your computer case: All other hardware components need to be housed together in a protective shell
Your computer motherboard: Your CPU, RAM, and other processors and storage devices need to be connected together
Your CPU: Your web browser's program code must be executed to fetch and display a page
The RAM in your computer: Your web browser must store data about the current web page in primary memory
Your computer's graphics processor: The images and data on your screen are output to your eyes as colored light
Your computer's hard drive: Your web browser's program code must be stored and read when you launch your web browser
Your computer's monitor or screen: The current screen you are viewing must be built from a series of images and data
Your computer's mouse: You are able to navigate between web pages and click on buttons
Your computer's keyboard: You are able to type in your username and password when logging into the course
Your computer case: All other hardware components need to be housed together in a protective shell
Your computer motherboard: Your CPU, RAM, and other processors and storage devices need to be connected together
Your CPU: Your web browser's program code must be executed to fetch and display a page
The RAM in your computer: Your web browser must store data about the current web page in primary memory
Your computer's graphics processor: The images and data on your screen are output to your eyes as colored light
Your computer's hard drive: Your web browser's program code must be stored and read when you launch your web browser
Your computer's monitor or screen: The current screen you are viewing must be built from a series of images and data
Your computer's mouse: You are able to navigate between web pages and click on buttons
Your computer's keyboard: You are able to type in your username and password when logging into the course
Let's go through each component and see how it helps you access and complete this assignment:
1. Your computer case: The computer case is responsible for housing and protecting all the hardware components. It ensures that they are securely connected and protected from external elements.
2. Your computer motherboard: The motherboard is the main circuit board of your computer. It provides the platform for all the hardware components to communicate and interact with each other. It connects the CPU, RAM, storage devices, graphics processor, and other peripherals.
3. Your CPU: The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is often referred to as the brain of the computer. It performs all the calculations and executes instructions necessary to run programs and process data. When you launch your web browser or any other program, the CPU processes the program code to initiate its execution.
4. The RAM in your computer: RAM (Random Access Memory) is a type of volatile memory that stores data and program code while your computer is running. When you launch your web browser, its program code is loaded from the hard drive into the RAM. The RAM also stores temporary data, such as the current web page, allowing for faster access.
5. Your computer's graphics processor: The graphics processor, or GPU, is responsible for rendering images and graphics on your computer's monitor or screen. It helps generate the visual elements of the web page you are viewing, ensuring that the images and data are displayed correctly.
6. Your computer's hard drive: The hard drive is a storage device that stores all the data on your computer, including the program files, operating system, and user files. When you launch your web browser, its program code is read from the hard drive and loaded into the RAM for execution.
7. Your computer's monitor or screen: The monitor or screen is the output device that displays the visual elements of the web page. The images and data are sent as an output to your eyes in the form of colored light, allowing you to view and interact with the content.
8. Your computer's mouse: The mouse is an input device that allows you to navigate and interact with the web browser. You can move the cursor, click on buttons, links, and forms, enabling you to navigate between web pages and complete various tasks.
9. Your computer's keyboard: The keyboard is another input device that enables you to enter text, such as typing in your username and password when logging into the course. It allows you to provide input and interact with the web browser and other applications.
So, to match the descriptions with the hardware components:
- Your CPU, RAM, and other processors and storage devices need to be connected together: Your computer motherboard
- All other hardware components need to be housed together in a protective shell: Your computer case
- The images and data on your screen are output to your eyes as colored light: Your computer's monitor or screen
- Your web browser must store data about the current web page in primary memory: Your RAM in your computer
- Your web browser's program code must be executed to fetch and display a page: Your CPU
- You are able to type in your username and password when logging into the course: Your computer's keyboard
- The current screen you are viewing must be built from a series of images and data: Your computer's graphics processor
- You are able to navigate between web pages and click on buttons: Your computer's mouse
- Your web browser's program code must be stored and read when you launch your web browser: Your computer's hard drive