Consensus Algorithms and Protocols Flashcards
7 cards from real Blockchain Technology practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Consensus Algorithms and Protocols flashcards as text
What is the main advantage of Proof of Stake over Proof of Work?
Answer: Higher energy efficiency
PoS consumes far less energy because it replaces mining computation with staked capital.
In PBFT, what are the three main phases of the consensus protocol?
Answer: Pre-prepare, prepare, commit
PBFT proceeds through pre-prepare, prepare, and commit phases to reach agreement.
What is a 'long-range attack' specific to some Proof of Stake systems?
Answer: Rewriting history from an old point using past keys
A long-range attack rebuilds an alternate chain from far back using old validator keys.
What does the CAP theorem say a distributed system can guarantee at most two of?
Answer: Consistency, Availability, Partition tolerance
CAP states a system can guarantee at most two of Consistency, Availability, and Partition tolerance.
In Proof of Authority (PoA), who validates and creates new blocks?
Answer: Pre-approved, identity-verified validators
PoA relies on a set of approved validators whose real-world identity is their stake.
What is 'block finality time' in a consensus protocol?
Answer: Time until a block is considered irreversible
Finality time is how long until a block can no longer be reverted.
Which consensus mechanism requires participants to provably destroy coins to earn mining rights?
Answer: Proof of Burn
Proof of Burn grants block-creation rights to those who send coins to an unspendable address.