input, output and storage

Question 1

what is optical storage

Answer 1

read from and written to using lasers. binary information is represented on the disc which either reflect or scatter the light.
pits represent 0 and lands represent a 1

Question 2

types of optical storage

Answer 2

cd
dvd
blu-ray

Question 3

cd

Answer 3

compact disc - store small quantities of information
used for audio files and store digital images
small thin and portable
disadvantages are they are easily damaged by scratches
limited storage capacity and relatively slow transfer speeds
cd-r which can only be written to once
cd-rw can be written to more than once
cd-rom written to during productin then can only be read from

Question 4

dvd

Answer 4

digital video disc
higher storage capacity then dvds

Question 5

blu-ray

Answer 5

5x storage then typical dvds
useful for storing high ressolution films

Question 6

what is magnetic storage

Answer 6

represent binary information using two magnetic states:

Question 7

types of magnetic storage

Answer 7

hard disk drives
magnetic tape
floppy disks

Question 8

hard disk drives

Answer 8

high capacities of 500gb - 5tb
will be stacked on eachother to maximise storage capacities.
hdd disadvantages - slow data transfer speeds
damaged by movement - brittle platter and moving parts

Question 9

magnetic tape

Answer 9

check the polarity of the tape and read off a binary value.
tape was a bulky way to store data

Question 10

floppy disks

Answer 10

thin magnetic disk enclosed in plastic to protect against dirt and dust
incredibly portable - thin size and low weight
1mb - 200mb