Hardware vs. Software basics.

Correct answer: A. CPU, RAM, motherboard

The governing distinction is that hardware consists of physical components, whereas software and data are non-physical information or instructions. The CPU is the processor chip that executes instructions, RAM is physical working memory, and the motherboard is the circuit board that connects major components; all three can be physically installed or handled. A kernel, driver, browser, file system, antivirus program, and app are software. A password, document, and photo are data rather than hardware components. Consequently, only option A contains a group made entirely of hardware.

Correct answer: A. An app crash may be limited to one program, whereas a kernel panic can stop the entire operating system

The governing concept is the level at which a software failure occurs. An app crash usually means that one application has encountered an unrecoverable error and has terminated; other applications and the operating system may continue working. A kernel panic is more serious because the kernel, the central part of the operating system that manages memory, hardware, and processes, has detected a critical fault. To protect the system and avoid further corruption, it may halt or restart the computer. Therefore option A correctly distinguishes limited application failure from system-level failure. Options B, C, and D describe unrelated objects and do not explain either term.