Pearson 1CP2 - 3.1 - Secondary Storage

What quality of main memory means it will lose all of its data when the power is turned off?

• Permanent
• Volatile
• Nonvolatile
• Persistent

Because main memory is volatile what component do computer systems need to ensure all data and programs are retained long term?

• Secondary storgage

• Primary storage

• Cache memory
• Registers

Other than volatility what are two critical differences between main memory and secondary storage?

• Material composition, power consumption

• Location in the computer, weight
• Cost, time take to manufacture

• Access speed, storage capacity

Identify the three main types of secondary storage

• Magnetic

• Optical

• Solid State

• Punch Matrix

• Copper Coil Transformer

Explain how magnetic storage works.

• Magnetic storage uses sound waves to store data on a disk or tape. This is created by the magnetic coil of a microphone

• Magnetic storage relies on the movement of electrons. Positive flow is 1 and negative flow is 0

• Magnetic storage works by using heat to encode data. The areas that warp the most represent 1 and the opposite 0

• Magnetic storage works by using magnetic fields to magnetize tiny particles on a disk or tape + is 1 and - is 0

Explain how optical storage media works

• Optical storage media works by using a keyboard to read and write data on a reflective surface.
• Optical storage media works by using a magnet to read and write data on a reflective surface.
• Optical storage media works by using a laser to read and write data on a reflective surface.
• Optical storage media works by using a needle to read and write data on a reflective surface.

Explain how pits and lands help an optical disc to store 1s and 0s

• Pits and lands help an optical disc to store 1s and 0s by emitting different frequencies of light. This is then picked up by a special lens that converts the fequencies into binary bytes.

• Pits and lands help an optical disc to store 1s and 0s by changing the color of the disc surface. This then helps a special laser absorb the electro magnetic spectrum and convey it to the lens

• Pits and lands help an optical disc to store 1s and 0s by using magnetic fields to represent the data
• Optical discs are covered in areas that reflect light (lands) or do not reflect light (pits). A laser is then passed over these and the light (or lack of) is read by a lens as either a 1 or 0.

What type of secondary storage relies on little trapped pools of electrons to each represent a binary number?

• Magnetic tape
• CD-ROM
• Magnetic Hard Disk

• Solid State

Which type of secondary storage requires no moving parts?

• Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
• USB Flash Drive
• CD-ROM
• Solid State Drive (SSD)

CD, DVD and Blu Ray are all examples of...

• Solid state storage media
• Optical storage media
• Magnetic storage media
• Digital storage media