Name: Date: Hour: The abacus (still in use today) is about 5,000 years old. Not a computer.

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1 Introduction to Computers - Intel: The Journey Inside Name: Date: Hour: Directions: Read/review each lesson and write your short answers on this paper. If there is a video available, watch it using headphones. When requested, do the Activities and complete the instructions. GO TO the Introduction to Computers page. Lesson 1 History of Computers 1. What is Stonehenge? Where is it located (Google this)? Stonehenge is located in England and is approximately 3,500 years old (300 years in the making). It is considered an astronomical computer since its stone positions are due to the movement of the planets, sun, and other heavenly bodies which then provides information concerning eclipses and other astronomical events. 2. What was the first calculating machine? About how old is it? The abacus (still in use today) is about 5,000 years old. Not a computer. 3. What did Charles Babbage invent in the early 1800 s? What was the main problem with this invention? Mechanical calculating machine was to slow due to its moving parts (levers and springs). Ada Byron King (Countess of Lovelace) is the mother of programming. Babbage also designed the Analytical Engine (an ultimate calculator) but never built it. 4. What invention made modern computers possible? That is, what component made it possible for a computer to process without moving parts? Electronic computers which have no moving parts (transistors and electricity). Lesson 2 The Four Components of a Computer 1. List the four components of computer processing. Input, Storage, Processing, and Output 2. The physical parts of a computer such as a keyboard and mouse are called what? Hardware 3. What does software give the computer the ability to do? Give an example of software. Software provides the computer with the ability of process many kinds of instructions. 4. What does the microprocessor do? Performs most of the tasks done with a computer. It processes instructions. CPU Central Processing Unit. Three major components: 1) Arithmetic unit, 2) Control unit, and 3) Instruction decoding unit. Lesson 3 How Computers Get Input 1. Define input. Information/data entered into a computer. 1

2 2. List 3 ways computers receive input. Keyboard, mouse, microphone, video camera, scanner, touch screen, CD-ROM drive, and light pen. Lesson 4 How Computers Store Information 1. Computers use two basic kinds of storage, RAM and ROM. *RAM stands for Random Access Memory and is _temporary or main storage. *ROM stands for Read Only Memory and is _long-term or permanent storage. [Game cartridges are ROM memory due to the need for access speed] 2. Which type of memory is actively used for processing? RAM 3. Which type of memory is erased once the computer is turned off? RAM 4. What are two other types of memory that are not actively used for processing? Hard drive and floppy drive data storage devices; Memory can be any device that can hold data in a machine-readable format. Cache a type of memory that allows data normally accessed directly from a disk to move to the normal RAM memory where the CPU can obtain it more quickly. Speeds up processing 5. Where does the microprocessor send information so that the components of the computer to work together? Motherboard the CPU, interface electronics, primary memory (RAM), and other support electronics are placed on this single piece of plastic. Lesson 5 How Computers Process Information 1. What are integrated circuits? A complete circuit on a chip, built by a chip fabrication process. 2. Define embedded processor. Give one example. A chip designed with a specific set of usable instructions. A user cannot change the instructions. DVD players, remote controls, calculators 3. Why is a microprocessor more versatile that an embedded processor? A microprocessor is the most complex chip in the computer, the brain, it is able to process user programmed information by using a fetch, decode, and execute method. Whereas, embedded processors are hard coded; the instructions cannot be changed by the user and software cannot be loaded. Lesson 6 How Computers Deliver Information 1. Name 3 types of output. Monitor (screen display), speaker (voice), printer (paper), MP3 files (video) 2. What should you always do before using the printer? Do a PRINT PREVIEW 2

3 Lesson 7 Which is Smarter? 1. What are the 4 components to consider when defining smart? Which is the better at each of the 4, a person or a computer? Speed the computer Memory the computer Well-reasoned decisions human brain Original thought human brain 2. List some ways computers and human brains are both similar and different. Compare! They are both similar in that they make decisions and process information. They are different in that the. Computer is faster, is tireless, and has a great memory. Software limits the type of decisions. The human brain can use judgment, thoughts, feelings, and creativity. 3. Define artificial intelligence. A field of science devoted to developing devices that someday may be able to reason and solve problems. GO TO the Digital Information page. Under the Explore the Curriculum tab. 1. What is a transistor? A type of switch that contains no moving parts and uses electricity to turn itself on & off. Lesson 1 What is Binary Code? 1. What is binary code and why is it used? A coding system that relies on the use of bits 0 s and 1 s to encode information. 2. What does the bi in binary mean? Two 3. Why does it only use 0 s and 1 s? Because 0 s and 1 s are all you need to express the flow of electricity through a transistor (on=1 & off = 0). Lesson 2 A Bit of This and That 1. What is the only language a computer knows? The binary number system of 0 s and 1 s. 2. What is a bit? A binary digit (a 0 or a 1) - thus digital information Lesson 3 How Computers Work with Pictures 1. In your own words, explain how computers work with pictures. A matrix of dots (pixels) make up an image (a combination of red/green/blue according to the VGA (Video Graphic Array translates binary code). 2. What is a pixel? Pixel is short for picture element (tiny dots (squares) of an image). A pixel is the smallest logical unit of visual information that can be used to build an image. 3

4 3. What determines the resolution (clarity) of an image? The more pixels and image has, the better its resolution is. Note: Digital images are comprised of pixels; digital cameras are defined by the number of megapixels they are capable of taking. 4. Do Activity 1. What picture was created? A rocket! Lesson 4 Binary Numbers Do Activity 1. Express 12 as a binary number What is 101? 5 3. What is 1101? What is 1111? 15 Lesson 5 Adding Binary ** Optional ** Lesson 6 ASCII An Alphabet for Computers 1. What is ASCII? American Standard Code for Information Interchange An agreed method for pairing the alphanumeric character set with binary representations used in computers. 2. What is a byte? A byte is an 8-bit code to represent a letter, number, or punctuation mark. 3. How many symbols can 8 bits define? How many symbols can 32 bits define? billion 4. Do Activity 1. What is your name in ASCII? S U S A N Lesson 7 Can you go to the movies? 1. What is the binary translation for true? 1 What is the binary translation for false? 0 2. When is an AND true? A 1,1 combination only. 3. When is an OR true? A 0,1 or a 1,0 or a 1,1 combination. 4. Do Activity 1. GO TO the Microprocessors page. Under the Explore the Curriculum tab. Lesson 1 The Robotic Arm Complete Activity 1. How many times did it take you to get the stick to the dog????????? 4

5 Lesson 2 Fetch, Decode, Execute 1. List and explain each of the three basic steps a computer goes through to process data. Fetch the portion of the microprocessor dedicated to requesting and receiving instructions Decode the portion used to translate information from a code into a form that has meaning to the microprocessor Execute the portion of the microprocessor used to carry out an instruction after it has been decoded 2. Do Activity 3. Lesson 3 The Best Things Come in Small Packages 1. Define transistor. A type of switch that contains no moving parts and uses electricity to turn itself on and off. 2. About how many transistors will fit on the head of a pin? Radius of the head of a pin = 1,000 microns Activity 1 143,572,071 transistors = over 700 million 3. Define micron. A unit of measure that is one millionth of a meter; synonymous with micrometer. Lesson 4 How Do They Make Chips so Small? 1. How many transistors are in modern microprocessors? Millions of transistors 2. In your own words, explain how microprocessor chips are made. There are four stages: 1) the architect design, 2) logic design, 3) circuit design, and 4) mass design. It takes hundreds of engineers to design a microprocessor chip. The design is computer simulated (tested) and then can be mass produces. A fabrication plant (or FAB) uses clean rooms and robotics to manufacture the chips. Lesson 5 Recipe for a Microprocessor? What is the primary material used to make microprocessors? Silicon (sand); also quartz, metals, chemicals and water Lesson 6 Building Skyscrapers on a Wafer 1. What is a wafer? A thin, flat piece of semiconductor crystal used in the manufacture of microprocessors and integrated circuits. Circuit components are created on the surface of the wafer through a series of manufacturing techniques that include layering and etching. (conductor, photo resist chemicals, etc.) 2. A single microprocessor holds millions of transistors. 3. How long does it take to produce one microprocessor? Approximately 2 month and over 300 manufacturing steps. ** If time permits, then GO TO the Circuits & Switches page. Under the Explore the Curriculum tab. ** Optional ** Intel The Journey Inside WS ANSWERs 9/2013 5