Arizona State University (ASU) CIS105 Computer Applications and Information Technology Midterm Practice Exam

The term that refers to the tangible and physical aspects of a computer is hardware. Hardware encompasses all the physical components of a computer system, including items such as the central processing unit (CPU), memory (RAM), hard drives, motherboards, power supplies, and peripheral devices like keyboards and mice.

In contrast, software consists of the programs and applications that run on the hardware, enabling users to perform tasks and operate the computer. Data refers to the information processed by the computer, which can be stored, retrieved, and manipulated by software. Finally, a network represents a collection of computers and devices that are connected to share resources and information but does not encapsulate the physical components of individual computers. Thus, hardware particularly highlights the physical essence of computing, making it the correct choice.