Final answer:
The smaller pieces into which computers break information for transmission across the internet are called packets.
Step-by-step explanation:
Whenever an e-mail, image, or web page travels across the internet, computers break the information into smaller pieces called packets. This is a fundamental aspect of data transmission over networks, allowing reliable and efficient communication between devices.
Each packet contains a portion of the overall data and metadata about how to reassemble the data at the destination. This method of transmission helps in managing network congestion, ensuring data integrity, and resending lost packets without having to resend the entire message.