Question

Answer the following questions.

a. Explain the role and importance of information communication in science and technology.

b. Which application software in the computer system did you find useful while studying science, and how?

c. How does a computer work?

d. What precautions should be taken while using various types of software on the computer?

e. Which are the various devices used in information communication? How are they used in the context of science?

Answer 1

a. The role and importance of information communication in science and technology are following:

• It has enabled to predict and forecast weather conditions by studying meteors.
• With the help of internet, one can collect scientific information and also share them with the help of emails or other social networking sites. It provides information on almost every topic.
• Some experiments and concepts in science can be demonstrated effectively using simulations and animations. eg. functioning of nervous system.
• A prototype of new research in the field of science can be build in various program softwares which run on a computer.
• It has enabled scientists gather information related to happening in the space.
• It has enabled the broadcasting of information related to agriculture to farmers living in remote areas to improve their agriculture productivity and sustainability.

b. Following are the application softwares which I find useful while learning science:
(i) Calculator: It helps in verifying the calculations done in subjects like physics and chemistry.
(ii) Microsoft excel: It is helpful in making me understand how to plot graphs between various physical quantities present in science.
(iii) Microsoft powerpoint: It enabled me to make interactive presentations for various topics present in science.

c. A computer has various parts. These parts along with their functions is described below:

• Processing Unit/device (CPU)
• Input device
• Output device

​

CPU
It stands for Central Processing Unit. It is the heart and brain of the computer. It consists of various smaller components such as motherboard, hard disk, random access memory (RAM), etc. CPU stores and processes the data. It controls the working of all the parts of computer, such as keyboard, mouse, etc. It is also known as the system unit.
CPU has three components:
Storage unit: This unit stores the information and supplies it to other units when required. Random access memory (RAM) is a part of the storage unit.
Control unit: This unit controls the working of other parts of the computer. It does not perform any kind of data processing.
ALU (Arithmetic logic unit): This unit performs the arithmetic calculations like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; and logical operations like comparison, selection and matching of data.

The internal memory of a computer is of two types:
- RAM (Random Access Memory): This allows data items to be read or write as long as the power is supplied to the system.
- ROM(Read Only Memory): This allows the data items to be read i.e. we cannot make changes to the stored information.

The communication between the computer and the person is possible because of the presence of an operating system which is an interface for communication.

Input Devices
There are certain devices that help in providing the information to the computer. Such devices are known as input devices. Some input devices are keyboard, mouse, scanner, bar code reader, etc. A keyboard is used for entering information, while a mouse is a pointing device that is used for indicating and selecting the input.

Output Devices
Some devices help in displaying the result of the processed data, such devices are known as output devices. A monitor is the main output device that displays the result. Display of a monitor is made of pixels. These are the small dots on the screen. Most of the computer screens are capable of displaying 80 columns and 25 rows. Monitors displays the data in the form of numbers, alphabets, etc. Monitors are available in the markets in various sizes and quality. For example: Monochromatic (Black and white), Liquid crystal Display (LCD), etc.

d. The precautions to be taken while using various types of software on the computer are:

• While using softwares, make sure that too many are not used simultaneously. Otherwise, it is going to slow your computer.
• While working on excel, keep the data in tabular form. Also, enter the data sequentially. Even, avoid using unnecessary space and special characters.

In case of downloading a new software,

• make sure that the site is authenticated from where it is being downloaded.
• make sure that your computer has antivirus installed so as to protect it from any harmfull bugs.
• try to give limited and required amount of access permission to the sofwares.

e. The various devices used in information communication are:

• Mobile
• Computer/ laptops
• Radio
• Television

These devices have enabled the dissemination of various information easily in scientific fields. Some examples where these devices are used are:

• Weather analysis: Super computers help in analysing the weather conditions of a particular place and provide information about it.
• Medicine: Computers help in performing surgeries. Analog computers are used to keep track of vital stats of the body like heartbeat, blood pressure, etc.
• These devices have helped scientists gather information related to happening in the space.
• These devices have enabled the broadcasting of information related to agriculture to farmers living in remote areas to improve their agriculture productivity and sustainability.