What does the term 'clock speed' refer to in a CPU?

The term 'clock speed' in a CPU refers to the number of cycles a CPU can execute per second, which directly correlates to the number of instructions it can process in that same time frame. Measured in hertz (Hz), clock speed determines how fast a CPU can perform operations. A higher clock speed typically indicates that the processor can execute more instructions in one second, leading to better performance and greater efficiency in handling tasks.

Other choices do not correctly define clock speed. The physical size of the CPU, the amount of memory it can handle, and its power consumption are relevant characteristics of a CPU but do not directly relate to its clock speed or instruction processing capability. Therefore, understanding clock speed is essential for evaluating CPU performance and overall computing power.