Year 10 - Computing
Environmental impacts of computing devices
Computer Systems
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will discover the difference between general purpose and embedded systems. They will examine computer architecture and the components that make up a processor. Pupils will recognise the need for storage and be able to select a suitable storage device for a given purpose.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe how e-waste and data centres are impacting the environment.
Key Notes
- Data centres are large collections of servers used to store, manage and process data.
- Data centres consume vast amounts of electricity and require extensive cooling.
- E-waste is placed in landfills where chemicals leak into the surrounding environment.
Vocabulary To Learn
- electronic waste (e-waste): includes discarded electronic devices like phones, laptops and batteries
- server: a computer that stores, manages and shares files, data and resources in a network
- data centre: facility that houses servers, storage systems and networking equipment to store, process and distribute data
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Data is stored "in the cloud", so it doesn't really exist physically or have an environmental cost.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Describe the system or process from this lesson in clear steps.
Data centres are large collections of servers used to store, manage and process data. Data centres consume vast amounts of electricity and require extensive cooling.
2. Define this computing term and give one practical example. 'electronic waste (e-waste)'
includes discarded electronic devices like phones, laptops and batteries. Add one real device or system example to prove understanding.
3. Correct this common computing misconception.
Mistake: Data is stored "in the cloud", so it doesn't really exist physically or have an environmental cost. Correction: The cloud is a network of large data centres. These are real, physical facilities that consume huge amounts of energy and water, and generate significant e-waste.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 10 Computing guide library.