Computer Parts & Input/Output Lab
Explore the main parts of a computer. Flip cards to learn what each part does, sort them into input, output, processing, and storage categories, and trace the path data takes as it moves through the machine.
Guided Experiment: Computer Parts Investigation
What do you think each part of a computer does? Which parts take in information and which parts show information?
Write your hypothesis in the Lab Report panel, then click Next.
Controls
Flip cards to learn each part, sort them into categories, and trace how data moves through a computer.
Identify the Parts
Click each card to flip it and discover what that computer part does.
Revealed: 0 of 8 parts
Data Table
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Reference Guide
The Four Categories
Every computer part belongs to one of four categories based on what it does:
- Input - parts that bring information into the computer
- Output - parts that show or send information out to you
- Processing - parts that think and make decisions
- Storage - parts that save information for later
Input Devices
Input devices let you send information to the computer. You control them directly.
- Keyboard - types letters, numbers, and symbols
- Mouse - moves the cursor and sends click actions
- Webcam - captures photos and video
Without input devices, you could not tell the computer what to do.
Output Devices
Output devices show or play results from the computer back to you.
- Monitor - displays pictures, text, and video
- Speaker - plays sounds, music, and voices
Without output devices, you would not be able to see or hear what the computer has done.
Processing and Storage
The CPU is the brain of the computer. It runs every instruction your programs give it.
- CPU - processes all instructions, very fast
- RAM - holds what you are working on right now (temporary)
- Hard Drive - saves files even when the computer is off (permanent)
RAM and the hard drive both store data, but RAM is fast and temporary while the hard drive is slower but permanent.