IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1 Definitions Worksheet: 3.2 Input and Output Devices (Modules 273–282)
Name:
Date:
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Key terms
Write what each term means, in your own words.
1
3D printer
2
speaker
3
actuator
4
suitable output device
5
sensor
6
ADC (analogue-to-digital converter)
7
acoustic sensor
8
accelerometer
9
flow sensor
10
gas sensor
Answer Key
IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1 · Modules 273–282 · Student wording will vary for definitions
13D printer — An output device that builds a solid object from a digital 3D design file by adding material, such as melted plastic, one thin layer at a time.
2speaker — An output device that turns an electrical signal into sound. An electromagnet makes a cone vibrate, and the vibrations make sound waves. A DAC first converts digital sound to analogue.
3actuator — An output device that turns a control signal from a processor into physical action, such as a motor turning, a valve opening or a heater switching on, in control systems and robots.
4suitable output device — Match the result needed (image, print, sound, 3D, movement) and the situation to the device that suits it best, then justify with 'because'.
5sensor — An input device that measures a physical quantity, such as heat or light, from the environment and sends the readings to a computer or microprocessor.
6ADC (analogue-to-digital converter) — Turns the continuously varying analogue readings from a sensor into digital values (binary numbers) so a computer can process them.
7acoustic sensor — A sensor that detects sound and measures its level. Used in noise monitoring, burglar alarms and glass-break detection to show how loud a sound is or whether a sound is present.
8accelerometer — A sensor that measures acceleration (change in speed or direction) and tilt. Used for phone screen rotation, step counters and car airbag impact detection.
9flow sensor — An input device that measures how much liquid or gas moves past a point in a set time (the flow rate). Used in water meters, fuel systems, pipelines and irrigation.
10gas sensor — An input device that detects the presence or concentration of a particular gas in the air, e.g. in carbon monoxide alarms, gas leak detection, air quality checks and breathalysers.