Final answer:
A virtual machine is a software version of a computer that operates independently from the host's hardware but uses a microprocessor to perform functions as if it were a physical machine.
Step-by-step explanation:
A virtual machine (VM) is a software implementation of a computer that executes programs as if it were a real physical computer within the physical memory of the host machine, but completely separated from the underlying hardware of the host machine. This concept is significant in the field of computer science and technology, particularly in areas involving system virtualization, cloud computing, and the creation of isolated environments for application development or testing.
A virtual machine relies on a microprocessor to execute its tasks, much like a physical computer does. However, it does so within a controlled software environment that emulates a computer's hardware resources. Virtualization allows multiple virtual machines to run concurrently on a single physical machine, each operating with its own operating system and applications, independent of the host system's hardware.