What is the term for the physical components of a computer system?

The term that refers to the physical components of a computer system is hardware. This includes all the tangible parts you can physically touch and see, such as the computer case, motherboard, CPU, RAM, hard drives, and peripherals like monitors and keyboards. Hardware is essential for a computer to function, as it houses the necessary components that execute software instructions, process data, and allow users to interact with the system.

In contrast, software refers to the programs and applications that run on the computer, providing instructions for the hardware to perform tasks. Firmware is a specific type of software that is embedded into hardware devices to control them directly. The operating system is the main software that manages the hardware resources and provides a user interface. While all these components are critical for a computer's functionality, it's hardware that encompasses the physical elements of the computer system.