Computer Science

no moving parts; stores data in electrical circuits using 0s and 1s

uses lasers to read and write data on a reflective surface

older format; data stored in series as polarised dots

Secondary storage

Software and embedded systems

Operating system

The processor

The fetch-execute (FE) cycle

Main memory

Computer specifications

Environmental impacts of computing devices

In this unit pupils will discover the difference between general purpose and embedded systems. They will examine computer architecture and the components that make up a processor. Pupils will recognise the need for storage and be able to select a suitable storage device for a given purpose.

Computer Systems

more storage always makes a computer faster

upgrading from a hard disk drive to a solid state drive improves speed

buying a larger hard drive guarantees faster performance

only optical storage can speed up a computer

Which statement is correct about storage and computer speed?

What is a key feature of magnetic storage?

Which type of secondary storage uses lasers to read and write data on a reflective surface?

Which small, fast type of memory stores instructions that the CPU uses most often?

Which memory type is temporary and changes as you use the computer?

What does cache memory help the computer do?

Put these types of memory in order from fastest to slowest:

Secondary storage

Lesson outcome