What term is used to describe the physical components of a computer?

The term that describes the physical components of a computer is "hardware." Hardware encompasses all the tangible elements that make up a computer system, including parts like the central processing unit (CPU), memory (RAM), hard drives, monitor, keyboard, and mouse, among others. These components are essential for the computer's functionality and performance, as they carry out tasks and processes based on instructions from software.

Software refers to the programs and applications that run on the computer, which is distinct from hardware since it is not a physical item. Firmware is a specific type of software that provides low-level control for a device's hardware, typically stored in read-only memory. A network contains a set of interconnected computers and hardware that communicate with one another but does not refer to the individual physical components themselves. Thus, the correct choice accurately identifies the physical elements that constitute a computer system.