Writing about Technology: The System Unit

Explain why digital signals are used in modern computers rather than analog
signals.
Analog signals are continuous and vary in strength and quality. While digital signals
can be turned either on or off. Digital data is flexible and in its implementation and
is best suited for computers and digital electronics. It is more suited for digital
technology because it stores data in binary code, which is interpreted data in zeros
and ones or on and off. Analog signals are stored in consistent wavelengths, and
can be seen more in thermometers, with are less flexible hardware.
http://www.diffen.com/difference/Analog_vs_Digital
The CPU is often called the "brains of the computer". Explain.
The CPU is the Central Processing Unit, and is known as the brains of the
computer because it interprets and carries out the basic instructions that help the
computer to operate and run. Every instruction, no matter how small or simple must
go through the CPU, the processor.
Motherboard
What is it- Also called the system board, is the main circuit board of the computer.
The motherboard contains all of the integrated circuits, and is the place where all of
the computers memory and expansion cards are held.
What purpose does it serve? Many of the electronic components of the computer
attach to the mother board, or are built into it. Such as processor, and memory
chips, video cards, power supply, and the sound card.
Describe the relationship between the motherboard and the CPU. The CPU is
plugged into the motherboard.
Primary memory.
What is the purpose of primary memory? RAM is temporary memory, the data and
files stay in the RAM as long as the computer has continuous power. The processor
interprets the data and programs as long as they remain in the RAM.
Explain why primary memory (RAM) is referred to as volatile. RAM is considered
volatile memory because of how it is erased when the power is cut to it, it is
temporary memory.
List the steps in converting the binary number 00101011 into a decimal (base 10)
number and write the resulting decimal number.
List out the binary code, and underneath of it write the power of 2 place values.
From write to left they are 1,2,4,8,16,32,64,128. Next, you multiply the binary

multiply the the binary number with the power of 2 under it. Add up the products,
the resulting number is your resulting decimal number.
0
128
0
Resulting

0
1
64
32
0
31
decimal number- 42

0
16
0

1
8
8

0
4
0

1
2
2

1
1
1

Compare a 32 bit processor and a 64 bit processor by creating an analogy using

roadways traveled by automobiles. Be specific.
A 32 bit processor can process 4 bytes at once, while a 64 bit processor can process
8 bytes at once. This can be used to create an analogy by saying that a 32 bit
processor is like a highway that has 4 lanes, each with a car in them, driving at the
same time in the same direction. A 64 bit processor is the same thing, just with a 8
cars driving simultaneously.
Explain why RAM is considered "temporary" or "short term" storage whereas a hard
drive is considered "permanent" or "long term" storage.
RAM is short term temporary storage because as soon as the power is cut to the
RAM the data files are erased. The hard drive stores non-volatile memory, the
contents on the hard drive are not erased when the power is cut, other examples
are ROM, flash memory, and CMOS.
How would your first name (your name specifically!) be stored in a computer using
bits and bytes? Be specific. Write your first name followed by the binary code for
your first name. Separate each byte from each other using a blank space.
T
01010100

E
01100101

J
01101010

A
01100001

Y
01111001

Explain why computers store numbers, words, and graphics in binary form (base 2)
instead of in decimal form (base 10).
Binary code is said to be the most practically way, due to the systems we design,
not having the ability to hold more than two possible states (On and off, 1 and 0).
http://nookkin.com/articles/computer-science/why-computers-use-binary.ndoc