Which memory is volatile and loses its contents when power is removed?

Which memory is volatile and loses its contents when power is removed?

• A. ROM
• B. Hard Drive
• C. RAM
• D. CPU

Answer: (C)

Volatile memory is memory that loses its data when power is removed. RAM fits this description because it is used for the computer’s active work, holding the data and instructions the CPU needs right now. It provides fast read/write access, which is great for performance, but it only retains information while power is supplied. Once you shut down, or if power is lost, the contents are cleared. In contrast, non-volatile memory keeps data without power. ROM stores firmware and remains intact even when the device is off, and a hard drive (or other storage) preserves files and programs across power cycles. The CPU, meanwhile, is the processor that executes instructions and is not a memory type, so it doesn’t fit the question’s criterion.

Volatile memory is memory that loses its data when power is removed. RAM fits this description because it is used for the computer’s active work, holding the data and instructions the CPU needs right now. It provides fast read/write access, which is great for performance, but it only retains information while power is supplied. Once you shut down, or if power is lost, the contents are cleared.

In contrast, non-volatile memory keeps data without power. ROM stores firmware and remains intact even when the device is off, and a hard drive (or other storage) preserves files and programs across power cycles. The CPU, meanwhile, is the processor that executes instructions and is not a memory type, so it doesn’t fit the question’s criterion.