Final answer:
Newer processors capable of executing instructions from earlier models are considered backward compatible. Microprocessors are integral to this capability, serving as the single chip that holds a computer's processing power. Moore's Law reflects the rapid growth in processor capabilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
When newer processors can process all of the instructions handled by earlier models, they are said to be backward compatible. This means they can run the same software and execute the same instructions as their predecessors. In the case of the Pentium chip, which is capable of executing more than 100 million instructions per second, the processor design ensures that it can understand and perform all the operations that older Intel processors could.
The microprocessor, a key device in the advancement of digital computers, made it possible to efficiently process large amounts of information. It is a single integrated circuit that incorporates all the functions of a computer's central processing unit. The development of the microprocessor spurred the evolution from minicomputers to personal computers in the 1970s, greatly expanding the accessibility and functionality of computers. Notable developments in this evolution include the release of computers like the Altair 8800 and the Apple II, which utilized these crucial microprocessors.
Last but not least, the concept of Moore's Law, which suggests that the capabilities of electronics, such as processors, essentially double approximately every eighteen months to two years, is a testament to the dramatic advancements in processor technology over the years.