4th Class Computers Science Characteristics of Memory Devices Physical Characteristics

     Physical Characteristics

The physical characteristics of a memory device can be categorized into four parts namely, electronic, magnetic, mechanical and optical. Hard disks and floppy disks are examples of magnetic media and CD ROMs and DVDs are examples of optical media. One of the important requirement s of the storage device is that it exhibit two physical states, 0 or 1. The access time of the memory depends upon how quickly the state can be recognized and changed. The quicker the device recognizes the state, the faster will be the access.  

 Match the following                

             A                                            B

1. Magnetic Media                          i.   DVDs                                                                                

                                                          ii.   Floppy disks

2. Optical Media                              iii. ROMs                                                                                

                                                          iv.   Hard disk

(A) 1- ii, iii, 2- i, iv                                               

(B) 1- ii, iv, 2- i, iii

(C) 1- i, iii, 2- ii, iv                                              

(D) 1- iv, 2- i, ii, iii

(E) 1- ii, iii, iv, 2-i  

Answer: (B)

Explanation

Correct Option:

(B) Option (B) is matched incorrectly.

Incorrect Options:

(A) Option (A) is matched incorrect.

(C) Option (C) is matched incorrect.

(D) Option (D) is matched incorrect.

(E) Option (E) is matched incorrect.    

 Joseph and John are discussing about the physical characteristics of a memory. Select the correct statement.

Joseph: The physical characteristics of a memory device can be categorized into two parts, namely electronic and mechanical.

John: The access time of the memory depends upon how quickly the state can be recognized and changed. The quicker the device recognizes the state, the faster will be the access.

(A) Joseph is correct                                      

(B) John is correct

(C) Both are correct                                       

(D) Both are partially correct

(E) Both are incorrect  

Answer: (b)

Correct Option:

(B) Statement of John is correct.

Incorrect Options:

(A) Statement of Joseph is incorrect.

(C) Both of them are not correct.

(D) John is fully correct whereas Joseph is fully incorrect.

(E) Both of them are not incorrect. Only Joseph is incorrect.  

• A kind of storage device that has recently emerged is called 'Flash Memory' which is a 'solid state' memory. The Thumb drives/ Pen drives and cell phones of today use flash memories.  

• Volatile memory: is computer memory that requires power to maintain the stored information.
• Non-volatile memory: is computer memory that can retain the stored information even when not powered.  

• Computers usually rely on stored information which is mainly data which can be used to direct circuit actions. The digital information is stored in memory devices.
• Resources on Net: http://www.wikipedia.org  

     Abbreviations       

RAM                      -              Random Access Memory

SAM                      -              Sequential Access Memory