Which device is volatile memory that loses data when power is off?

Which device is volatile memory that loses data when power is off?

• A. RAM
• B. Hard drive
• C. Flash drive
• D. Optical disk

Answer: (A)

Volatile memory is memory that loses its contents when power is removed. RAM is the primary example of volatile memory: it holds data only while the computer is powered on, providing fast, temporary storage for active programs and the data they’re currently using. When you turn off the computer, the power goes away and everything stored in RAM is lost, which is why you need to save work to non-volatile storage first. The other devices — hard drives, flash drives, and optical disks — are non-volatile. They retain data even without power, which is why they’re used for long-term storage and for saving files.

Volatile memory is memory that loses its contents when power is removed. RAM is the primary example of volatile memory: it holds data only while the computer is powered on, providing fast, temporary storage for active programs and the data they’re currently using. When you turn off the computer, the power goes away and everything stored in RAM is lost, which is why you need to save work to non-volatile storage first.

The other devices — hard drives, flash drives, and optical disks — are non-volatile. They retain data even without power, which is why they’re used for long-term storage and for saving files.