Memory and Storage (Revised)

Question 1

Which type of primary memory is volatile? What does this mean?

Answer 1

RAM-It means that data will be lost when the power is switched off

Question 2

Why is the fact that ROM is “read only” beneficial for the computer

Answer 2

It makes it ideal for storing instructions and data,these are usually programmed by the computers manufacturer and cannot be overwritten

Question 3

What does memory do in a computer

Answer 3

it holds data programs and instructions that are currently in use

Question 4

why does RAM stand for “random access”?

Answer 4

because data and instructions can be fetched from any place within the memory

Question 5

What is virtual memory

Answer 5

the use of secondary storage as additional primary memory

Question 6

What does virtual memory do?

Answer 6

enables data that is in RAM (that is not in use) to be transferred to the hard disk. This frees up room in RAM for other programs and data. When that data is needed again, it is transferred again to RAM

Question 7

Give 2 disadvantages of virtual memory

Answer 7

• it makes a computer run slower-because the processor has to wait when data is being swapped
• RAM can be increases to increase processing time instead

Question 8

What is secondary storage?

Answer 8

Secondary storage is long term , non volatile storage. It’s used to keep data and programs indefinetely

Question 9

list a pro and a con of a USB stick

Answer 9

pro-it is useful for transporting files between computers as it is extremely fast and portable
con-it is small in capacity (in comparison to a hdd)

Question 10

Give 3 details on how magnetic devices work

Answer 10

• magnetic devices use magnetic fields to magnetise tiny individual sections of of a metal spinning disk
• magnetic devices are written to by the head moving across its surface and magnetising or demagnetising a section of the disk
• to read data, the head makes a note of which data is magnetised or not

Question 11

Give 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of magnetic disks

Answer 11

• magnetic disks are fairly cheap
• magnetic disks have a very high capacity
• they are easily damaged if dropped
• they are vulnerable to magnetic fields

Question 12

What are pits and lands

Answer 12

the flat and hollow areas of the track on an optical storage device
pits = 0
lands = 1

Question 13

Explain 3 examples of optical storage

Answer 13

rom media- has data pre=written to it often found in games, films and music. The data on these cannot be overwritten.
R - come as blank. data can only be written once, but can be read many times
RW- similar to R but can be written to multiple times

Question 14

Give 3 details about solid state drives

Answer 14

• they are durable as they have no moving parts
• they are typically expensive, therefor they come in smaller sizes
• they use non volatile ram to store data indefinitely

Question 15

which 2 forms of secondary storage are fast

Answer 15

solid state drives and USB sticks