Primary and Secondary Storage

Question 1

What is RAM?

Answer 1

Random Access Memory, main memory in a computer

RAM is volatile and stores data while it is being used.

Question 2

What is the primary characteristic of RAM?

Answer 2

It can be read and written, and is volatile

Data is lost when power is turned off.

Question 3

What happens when a computer is booted up regarding RAM?

Answer 3

The OS, software, and open files are copied from secondary storage to RAM

This allows the CPU to access them quickly.

Question 4

How does RAM compare in speed to CPU cache and secondary storage?

Answer 4

Slower than CPU cache but faster than secondary storage

Question 5

What is ROM?

Answer 5

Read Only Memory, which is non-volatile

Built into the motherboard and contains boot instructions.

Question 6

What is the function of ROM when a PC is powered on?

Answer 6

The CPU reads instructions from ROM to copy the OS to RAM

Question 7

Define volatile memory.

Answer 7

Temporary memory that requires power to retain its data

Examples include RAM, CPU registers, and cache.

Question 8

Define non-volatile memory.

Answer 8

Permanent memory that keeps its content without power

Examples include ROM and secondary storage.

Question 9

What is virtual memory?

Answer 9

A method where sections of the hard disk are used for the CPU to store data when RAM is full

Question 10

Is virtual memory volatile or non-volatile?

Answer 10

Volatile

Data is lost when the computer is turned off.

Question 11

What process is referred to as disk thrashing?

Answer 11

The slow and noisy process of moving data between RAM and virtual memory

Question 12

How can virtual memory compensate for a lack of RAM?

Answer 12

By using sections of the hard disk as temporary storage for the CPU

Question 13

Why would it be beneficial to get more RAM instead of relying on virtual memory?

Answer 13

More RAM allows for faster data access and reduces the need for disk thrashing

Question 14

Give two examples of data that can be stored in RAM.

Answer 14

• Open applications
• Active documents

Question 15

What is the purpose of secondary storage?

Answer 15

To provide long-term storage of data, files, software, and the OS

Question 16

What would happen without secondary storage?

Answer 16

Software would need to be reinstalled each time, and files could not be saved

Question 17

List the types of secondary storage.

Answer 17

• Optical
• Magnetic
• Solid State

Question 18

What are the positive aspects of optical storage?

Answer 18

• Cheap
• Lightweight
• Portable

Question 19

What are the negatives of optical storage?

Answer 19

• Slow access time
• Prone to scratches

Question 20

What are the positives of magnetic storage?

Answer 20

• Cheap
• Large capacity
• Reliable

Question 21

What are the negatives of magnetic storage?

Answer 21

• Slow access time
• Fragile

Question 22

What are the positives of solid state storage?

Answer 22

• Durable
• Fast access time
• No noise
• Medium capacity
• Low power

Question 23

What are the negatives of solid state storage?

Answer 23

• Limited number of read/write cycles
• Expensive compared to others

Question 24

Define data capacity terms: Bit, Nibble, Byte.

Answer 24

• Bit - 1 bit
• Nibble - 4 bits
• Byte - 8 bits

Question 25

What is a Kilobyte in terms of bytes?

Answer 25

1000 bytes

Question 26

How many bits are in a Megabyte?

Answer 26

8 million bits

Question 27

How many bytes are in a Gigabyte?

Answer 27

1 billion bytes

Question 28

What is the formula for calculating the size of an image file?

Answer 28

Colour depth * image height (px) * image width (px)

Question 29

What is the formula for calculating the size of a sound file?

Answer 29

Sample rate * duration * bit depth