← Years 5–6 Digital Systems

Peripheral

An external device, wired or wireless, that connects to a digital system to add input, output or storage, such as a mouse, printer or USB drive.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems & Security — Module 5, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 2.1 Data Transmission Types and Methods — Module 33, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 4.1 Types of Software and Interrupts — Module 21, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Inside Digital Systems — Module 12

Understanding Peripheral in Years 5–6 Digital Systems

What it does: A printer is an external output peripheral because it takes data from the computer and produces a paper copy. A USB drive is an external storage peripheral that connects through a USB port to save and carry files. A peripheral is an external device connected to a digital system. The CPU is an internal component, so it is not a peripheral. Peripherals add abilities such as input (mouse), output (printer) or storage (USB drive). They do not replace the operating system. A Bluetooth headset connects without a cable. A wired USB mouse uses a cable, so it is a wired peripheral.

Common mistakes: A mouse is an input peripheral because it sends information into the computer. Line 2 should be kind = "input". A printer is an output peripheral because it produces paper copies of what the computer sends. Line 2 should be kind = "output".

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 1–10) and word search (Modules 1–20).

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Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning

Duo

Which one is a peripheral?

A printer plugged into a computerThe CPU inside a computer

Matches

RAM is a peripheral because it adds memory

↓

RAM is an internal component inside the computer, not an external device, so it is not a peripheral.

Applying

Meanings

Term

peripheral

Meaning

An external device, wired or wireless, that connects to a digital system to add input, output or storage, such as a mouse, printer or USB drive.

Practice

peripheral <- external device

Testing

Gaps

A connects to a digital system.

Check Answer

Spots

1peripheral = "mouse"

2kind = "output"

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Quick Questions

1. Which one is a peripheral?

A. The CPU inside a computer

B. A printer plugged into a computer ✓

A peripheral is an external device connected to a digital system. The CPU is an internal component, so it is not a peripheral.

2. What does a peripheral do for a digital system?

A. Adds input, output or storage ✓

B. Replaces the operating system

Peripherals add abilities such as input (mouse), output (printer) or storage (USB drive). They do not replace the operating system.

3. Which peripheral connects wirelessly?

A. A wired USB mouse

B. A Bluetooth headset ✓

A Bluetooth headset connects without a cable. A wired USB mouse uses a cable, so it is a wired peripheral.

4. Which statement is true?

A. A peripheral can be wired or wireless ✓

B. A peripheral must always use a cable

Peripherals can connect with a cable or wirelessly, for example with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

5. You want to save a copy of your project to carry to school. Which peripheral suits this purpose?

A. A USB drive ✓

B. A speaker

A USB drive is a storage peripheral. A speaker is an output peripheral, so it cannot store your project.

Match the Pairs

peripheral → An external device connected to a digital system to add input, output or storage

wireless peripheral → A peripheral that connects without a cable, such as a Bluetooth mouse

A peripheral that adds output by printing documents onto paper → printer

A peripheral that adds extra storage and plugs in with a cable → USB drive

RAM is a peripheral because it adds memory → RAM is an internal component inside the computer, not an external device, so it is not a peripheral.

A peripheral must always use a cable → Peripherals can be wired or wireless, so a cable is not always needed.

Key Term

peripheral

An external device, wired or wireless, that connects to a digital system to add input, output or storage, such as a mouse, printer or USB drive.

Fill in the Blanks

1. A peripheral connects to a digital system.

Hint: Type the term for an external device that adds input, output or storage.

2. A mouse is an input peripheral.

Hint: Type the kind of peripheral that sends data into the system.

3. A USB drive adds storage to a computer.

Hint: Type what a USB drive adds to a system, which is somewhere to keep files.

4. A CPU is internal but a printer is external.

Hint: Type the word that describes a device that sits outside the computer.

5. A Bluetooth mouse is a wireless peripheral.

Hint: Type the connection type that uses no cable.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A peripheral = "mouse"

B kind = "output"

C connection = "wired"

Line B — A mouse is an input peripheral because it sends information into the computer. Line 2 should be kind = "input".

Question 2

A peripheral = "printer"

B kind = "input"

C print(peripheral, kind)

Line B — A printer is an output peripheral because it produces paper copies of what the computer sends. Line 2 should be kind = "output".

Question 3

A items = ["mouse", "printer"]

B for p in items:

C print(p, "is external")

D print("RAM is a peripheral")

Line D — RAM is an internal component inside the computer, not an external peripheral. Line 4 should say RAM is internal.

Question 4

A device = "webcam"

B connected = True

C role = "output"

Line C — A webcam captures video and sends it into the computer, so it is an input peripheral. Line 3 should be role = "input".

Question 5

A task = "listen to music"

B if task == "listen to music":

C choice = "microphone"

Line C — To listen to music you need an output peripheral such as speakers. A microphone is an input device. Line 3 should be choice = "speakers".

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