Sign In

Computer Science for IGCSE & O level - Hardware (Section 10)

1
In an optical mouse, what function does the red light serve?
Answer
(C)
To detect movement
2
What is the purpose of the light source in a 2D scanner?
Answer
(B)
To illuminate the document being scanned.
3
Which term refers to the process where excessive hard drive activity slows down overall computer performance when using virtual memory?
Answer
(C)
Disk thrashing
4
What does a modem do?
Answer
(A)
Converts a digital signal into an analog signal.
5
In a vending machine, what is the purpose of the 'LCD display panel' described?
Answer
(C)
To display information to the customer.
6
What is the key difference between primary and secondary memory?
Answer
(C)
Primary memory is directly accessible by the CPU.
7
Which of the following is NOT a stage in the laser printing process?
Answer
(C)
Printing
8
What is a primary advantage of using SSDs over HDDs in a laptop environment?
Answer
(C)
Improved battery life and durability.
9
How does the width of the address bus affect the computer's capabilities?
Answer
(B)
It determines the maximum amount of memory the CPU can access.
10
Which of these is a function of a router?
Answer
(C)
Forwards data packets between networks.
11
Which of the following is an advantage of solid-state drives (SSDs) over hard disk drives (HDDs)?
Answer
A
B
D
12
What determines the speed of a hard disk drive?
Answer
A
B
13
Which of the following is a disadvantage of QR codes compared to traditional barcodes? (Select all that apply)
Answer
(C)
They can transmit malicious codes.
14
Which of the following is an example of a storage device that uses magnetic storage?
Answer
(C)
Hard Disk Drive
15
In an HDD, which factor contributes most to latency?
Answer
(C)
The time for the platter to rotate to the right spot, and the movement of the head.
16
What is the typical purpose of the sensors used inside a digital camera?
Answer
(D)
To measure light and convert it.
17
What is one of the main benefits of using virtual memory?
Answer
(D)
It allows programs to use more memory than is physically available.
18
Which of the following is an example of an embedded system?
Answer
B
D
19
When comparing data transfer speeds, which units of measurement are typically used?
Answer
(B)
MBps (Megabytes per second)
20
What is an advantage of SSDs?
Answer
(C)
They use less power.
21
What does the term 'defragmentation' refer to?
Answer
(A)
The process of organizing files on a hard drive.
22
What are the key benefits of infrared touchscreen technology?
Answer
(A)
Good multi-touch facility
23
Which of the following is a common application of sensors in home security systems?
Answer
(B)
Detecting the presence of intruders
24
What is the main characteristic of the Harvard architecture?
Answer
(B)
Separate memory spaces for instructions and data.
25
In a greenhouse control system, which environmental factors can be managed?
Answer
A
B
C
D
26
In a typical computer system, what is the main function of the system clock?
Answer
(B)
To synchronize the operations of the CPU and other components.
27
Which storage device is an example of secondary storage?
Answer
(C)
Hard disk drive
28
Which of the following best describes the term 'cloud storage'?
Answer
(B)
Storing data on remote servers, accessible via the internet.
29
Which device is an example of an actuator?
Answer
(A)
An ink-jet printer's print head.
30
In the context of networking, what is the purpose of the NIC?
Answer
(B)
To transmit and receive data over a network
31
What is the function of a sensor in a security system?
Answer
(B)
To detect an intrusion.
32
Which part of a 2D scanner is responsible for converting the reflected light into digital information?
Answer
(C)
The sensor
33
In a chemical process, what type of signal does the computer send out?
Answer
(B)
Digital signal
34
What is one of the key functions of the embedded system in a vending machine?
Answer
(D)
Controlling the temperature and the cooling system.
35
What is the key characteristic that differentiates an SSD from a traditional HDD?
Answer
(C)
Faster access times and improved durability.
36
In a greenhouse environment control system, what could a computer potentially control?
Answer
A
B
C
D
37
Which component in the street lighting system provides an analog signal representing the amount of light?
Answer
(C)
The light sensor.
38
What are the potential disadvantages of QR codes, as discussed in the text? (Select all that apply)
Answer
A
B
39
Which of the following are advantages of using barcodes for managing items? (Select all that apply)
Answer
A
C
40
Which components would a greenhouse environment control system most likely regulate?
Answer
A
B
C
D
41
What type of storage uses a shorter wavelength laser than DVDs?
Answer
(C)
Blu-ray
42
Which of the following best describes the operation of an ink-jet printer's thermal bubble technology?
Answer
(A)
Ink is heated, creating a bubble that forces ink droplets onto the paper.
43
Which type of memory is used to store the operating system and running programs when the computer is on?
Answer
(C)
RAM
44
What are two features of static IP addresses?
Answer
(B)
They're permanently assigned to a device by the internet service provider (ISP).
45
What is the function of a switch in a local area network (LAN)?
Answer
(B)
To connect multiple devices within the same network.
46
In a central heating system, what does the pre-set value represent?
Answer
(B)
The target temperature.
47
What is a common disadvantage of a resistive touchscreen?
Answer
(D)
All of the above.
48
What type of optical storage uses a red laser?
Answer
(C)
CD
49
Which of the following are types of touch screens?
Answer
A
B
D
50
Which of the following are types of cable in wired networks?
Answer
A
B
C