← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Laser printer

A printer that uses a laser to draw the image as static charge on a drum. Toner sticks to the charged areas, is transferred to paper, then fixed by a heated fuser.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 3.2 Input and Output Devices — Module 26

Understanding Laser printer in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: The laser draws the image as static charge on the drum, and the charged areas attract toner powder, which makes the image. Laser printers are fast and have a low cost per page, so they suit offices that print lots of pages. After toner is transferred to the paper it is only loose powder, so the fuser uses heat to fix it in place.

Common mistakes: The laser draws the image as static charge on the drum, not on the paper. It should be laser.draw(image, drum). The fuser uses heat to melt the toner onto the paper so it stays fixed. It should be fuser.heat(paper).

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

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Learning
Duo
In a laser printer, what does the laser do to the drum?
It draws the image as static chargeIt sprays liquid ink onto the drum
Matches
A laser printer sprays liquid ink through tiny nozzles onto the paper
↓
This describes an inkjet printer. A laser printer uses toner powder and a laser, not liquid ink from nozzles.
Applying
Meanings
Term
laser printer
Meaning
A printer that uses a laser to draw the image as static charge on a drum. Toner sticks to the charged areas, is transferred to paper, then fixed by a heated fuser.
Practice
CHARGE drum
Testing
Gaps
Laser printer: a laser draws on the
Check Answer
Spots
1drum <- charge(drum)
2laser.draw(image, paper)

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Quick Questions

1. In a laser printer, what does the laser do to the drum?
A. It draws the image as static charge ✓
B. It sprays liquid ink onto the drum
The laser draws the image as a pattern of static charge on the drum. A laser printer does not use liquid ink.
2. Which part of a laser printer sticks to the charged areas of the drum?
A. Toner powder ✓
B. Liquid ink droplets
Toner is a fine powder. It is attracted to the charged areas of the drum. Liquid ink is used by inkjet printers.
3. What is the job of the fuser in a laser printer?
A. Draw the image on the drum with a laser
B. Heat the toner so it is fixed onto the paper ✓
The fuser heats (and presses) the toner so it melts and sticks permanently to the paper. The laser draws the image on the drum.
4. Which statement about laser printers is correct?
A. They are slow and best for printing just a few pages
B. They are fast and cheap per page for high-volume printing ✓
Laser printers are fast and have a low cost per page, so they suit offices that print lots of pages.
5. Which order is correct for a laser printer?
A. Laser charges drum, toner sticks, toner transfers to paper, fuser heats it ✓
B. Fuser heats paper, toner sprayed on, laser charges drum, toner dries
The laser creates the charged image first. Toner sticks to it and is transferred to paper. The fuser fixes it last.

Match the Pairs

laser printer → A printer that uses a laser to draw the image as static charge on a drum, then fixes toner powder onto paper with heat
fuser → The heated part of a laser printer that melts toner so it sticks permanently to the paper
Toner powder sticks only to the areas of the drum that the laser has charged → laser -> charged drum -> toner sticks
Laser printers are fast, handle high volumes and are cheap per page → print 500 pages quickly at low cost per page
A laser printer sprays liquid ink through tiny nozzles onto the paper → This describes an inkjet printer. A laser printer uses toner powder and a laser, not liquid ink from nozzles.
The fuser cools the toner so it sticks to the paper → The fuser uses heat, not cooling. It melts the toner onto the paper so it is fixed permanently.

Key Term

laser printer
A printer that uses a laser to draw the image as static charge on a drum. Toner sticks to the charged areas, is transferred to paper, then fixed by a heated fuser.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Laser printer: a laser draws on the drum
Hint: Type the name of the rotating part that holds the static charge image.
2. Toner powder sticks to the charged areas
Hint: Type the form the toner takes (fine dust-like particles).
3. The fuser uses heat to fix toner on paper
Hint: Type the name of the heated part that fixes the toner onto the paper.
4. A laser draws the image as static charge
Hint: Type the device that draws the image with a beam of light.
5. Good for high volume and cheap per page
Hint: Type the word describing large amounts of printing.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A drum <- charge(drum)
B laser.draw(image, paper)
C toner.stick(chargedAreas)
D transfer(toner, paper)
E fuser.heat(paper)
Line B — The laser draws the image as static charge on the drum, not on the paper. It should be laser.draw(image, drum).
Question 2
A charge(drum)
B laser.draw(image)
C toner.attract(drum)
D fuser.cool(paper)
Line D — The fuser uses heat to melt the toner onto the paper so it stays fixed. It should be fuser.heat(paper).
Question 3
A charge(drum)
B laser.draw(image)
C toner.stick(blankAreas)
D transfer(toner, paper)
Line C — Toner powder sticks only to the areas the laser has charged, not the blank areas. It should be toner.stick(chargedAreas).
Question 4
A IF pages > 500 THEN
B use inkjet printer
C ENDIF
Line B — Laser printers are fast and cheap per page, so they suit high-volume printing. It should be use laser printer.
Question 5
A FOR each page
B laser.draw(image)
C toner <- liquid ink
D NEXT page
Line C — A laser printer uses dry toner powder, not liquid ink. Liquid ink is used by inkjet printers. It should be toner <- powder.

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