1.2.2 - Secondary Storage Flashcards
1
Q
Why is secondary storage needed?
A
Secondary storage is needed as it stores things indefinitely, even when the computer doesn’t have power. Without it, everything would be lost when you turn the computer off
2
Q
Is secondary storage volatile or non volatile?
A
Secondary storage is non-volatile
3
Q
Give the three common types of secondary storage
A
- magnetic
- optical
- solid state
4
Q
Examples of magnetic storage
A
Hard disk drive
5
Q
Examples of optical storage
A
CDs, DVDs, Blu-Ray
6
Q
Examples of solid state storage
A
SSD, USB stick
7
Q
What characteristics need to be taken into account when choosing a storage option? (6)
A
- Capacity
- Speed - how fast it can read and write data
- Portability - ease of transportation
- Reliability - how much it can be trusted to function
- Durability - resistance to damage
- Cost
8
Q
How does optical storage store data
A
- Different parts of the disk reflect light from a laser different as they have lands and pits
- How the light is reflected determins if it is a 1 or a 0
9
Q
How does magentic storage store data
A
- Different parts of the disk are magnetised differently
- The read head detects hoe magnetised the section is and it is represented by a 1 or a 0 accordingly
