Which of the following describes physical parts of a computer?

The correct choice is hardware because it specifically refers to the tangible components of a computer system that can be physically touched and interacted with. These include parts such as the central processing unit (CPU), memory modules, hard drives, motherboards, and peripheral devices like keyboards and monitors. Hardware serves as the foundation upon which software operates.

In contrast, software refers to the programs and applications that run on the hardware, providing the instructions for the hardware to perform tasks. Data relates to information processed and stored by a computer, including files, documents, and databases. A network refers to the interconnected systems that allow computers to communicate and share resources, which is distinct from the actual physical parts of the computer itself. Thus, hardware is the appropriate term that encapsulates the concept of physical components in the computing context.