CHAPTER 10 • SCIENCE, CLASS 9

Information Communication Technology: The New Direction of Progress

Important Components of a Computer

A computer system is a combination of hardware and software that work together to process data. The five most vital components are the CPU (Central Processing Unit), Motherboard, RAM, Storage (SSD/HDD), and Input/Output (I/O) devices.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The CPU is considered the brain of the computer because it controls all operations and processes data. It performs a cycle of fetching instructions from memory, decoding them, executing them, and storing or displaying the results. The CPU consists of three main components: the Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU), the Control Unit (CU), and Memory Registers.

Input Unit

An input device captures user input and sends it to the computer. A keyboard sends text, a mouse sends pointer movement, and a microphone sends sound. The system processes this input and produces a response.

Output Unit

An output device delivers that response back to the user in a usable form. The monitor displays text and visuals, speakers play sound, and a printer creates physical documents.

Memory

Memory is the place for storing data — obtained from input devices, and also used to generate the solution or answer produced by the computer. There are two types of memory:

1. Internal memory
2. External memory

RAM (Random Access Memory)

RAM is the computer's main memory that temporarily stores data and enables fast read and write operations. Located on the motherboard, it directly supports the CPU, allowing programs to run smoothly and information to be processed quickly.

• As volatile memory, data in RAM is lost when the computer is powered off.
• Its high speed greatly influences overall system performance, and insufficient RAM can slow program loading and reduce efficiency.

ROM (Read-Only Memory)

Unlike RAM, which loses its data when the power is turned off, ROM is designed to store essential information permanently. ROM is a non-volatile memory used to operate the system — as its name suggests, we can only read the stored programs and data, not write to it.

• Information stored in ROM is permanent.
• Information and programs are stored on ROM in binary format (0s and 1s).
• It is used in the start-up process of the computer.

External Memory

External memory, also called "secondary memory," refers to storage devices that can retain or store data persistently. They could be removable storage devices.

Two Main Components of a Computer

1. Hardware
2. Software

Hardware

Hardware consists of all the electronic and mechanical parts used in a computer. Computer hardware refers to the tangible, physical components that make up a system. It includes internal devices like the CPU, motherboard, RAM, and storage drives, as well as external peripherals like monitors, keyboards, and mice.

Software

Software is a set of programs designed to perform a well-defined function. A program is a sequence of instructions written to solve a particular problem. Computer instructions and data — or anything that can be stored electronically — is software. Example: MS Word, MS PowerPoint, etc.

How to Use Microsoft Word to Create a Document and Write Equations

How to Create a PowerPoint Presentation

Step 1: Open PowerPoint and Choose a Design

1. Open the Microsoft PowerPoint application.
2. Click on New in the left menu.
3. You can choose a Blank Presentation or select one of the pre-designed Themes to give your slides some color and style.

Step 2: Add Title and New Slides

1. On the first slide, click inside the boxes that say "Click to add title" and "Click to add subtitle" to type your presentation's name and your name.
2. To add a new slide, go to the Home tab at the top and click the New Slide button (or press Ctrl + M on Windows / Cmd + M on Mac).

Step 3: Add Text and Content

1. Click inside any placeholder box on your new slide to add bullet points, paragraphs, or lists.
2. Keep your text short and concise — use bullet points instead of long paragraphs.