History quiz

Where do computers get electricity from?

Computers receive electricity from a power supply, which is typically connected to a wall outlet. The power supply converts the alternating current (AC) from the wall outlet into direct current (DC), which is what the computer needs to operate. The power supply also provides the computer with the necessary voltages and currents.

Here is a more detailed explanation of how computers get electricity:

1. Power Outlet: The computer receives electricity from a power outlet, which is typically a wall outlet. The wall outlet provides alternating current (AC) electricity, which means that the current flows in one direction and then the other.

2. Power Cord: The power cord is a cable that connects the computer to the power outlet. The power cord has three prongs: one for the hot wire, one for the neutral wire, and one for the ground wire.

3. Power Supply: The power supply is a device that converts the alternating current (AC) electricity from the wall outlet into direct current (DC) electricity, which is what the computer needs to operate. The power supply also provides the computer with the necessary voltages and currents.

4. Computer: The DC electricity from the power supply is then sent to the computer's motherboard, where it is distributed to the various components of the computer, such as the CPU, GPU, RAM, and hard drive.

Most computers use a standard ATX power supply, which has a 24-pin main power connector and a number of other connectors for peripherals such as hard drives and graphics cards. The ATX power supply also has a cooling fan to keep the power supply from overheating.

Some computers, such as laptops and tablets, have built-in power supplies. These power supplies are typically smaller than ATX power supplies and do not have a cooling fan.

Regardless of the type of power supply, all computers require electricity to operate. Without electricity, the computer would not be able to power on and the user would not be able to access any of the files or programs stored on the computer.