A hash function converts data into a fixed-length value. In blockchain, hashing ensures data integrity. Even a small change in the input produces a completely different hash, making it secure and tamper-resistant.
Mining is the process of validating transactions and adding them to the blockchain. Miners solve complex mathematical problems to find a 'nonce' that produces a hash meeting certain criteria in our case starting with 0000, securing the network.
A blockchain is a decentralized ledger of transactions. Each block contains transaction data, a timestamp, a hash of the previous block, and a unique hash. This creates a chain of blocks, ensuring security and transparency.
In cryptography, a public key is shared with others to encrypt messages, while the private key is kept secret for decrypting those messages. Blockchain uses key pairs to sign transactions, ensuring secure identity verification.