Flash memory questions and answers
Q1. State three examples of solid state storage devices.
A1. SM (smart media) memory cards, micro SD memory cards, memory cards for video games, pen drives (memory sticks,) ROM chips in computers.
Q2. What are the main characteristics of solid state storage devices?
A2. No moving parts. Low power consumption.
Q3. State two advantages of solid state storage devices.
A3. No moving parts so no friction and no mechanical breakdown. Can physically be made very small yet hold a lot of data. Uses very low power so it can take its power from the device it is in rather than needing its own batteries.
Q4. Is a magnetic hard drive a solid state device?
A4. No, it's a mechanical device that uses magnetic technology to store data.
Q5. Is a DVD optical drive a solid state device?
A5. No, it's an device that uses optical technology to store data.
Q6. What are the units of data storage for solid state storage devices?
A6. Bytes.
Q7. Why do solid state devices need very little power?
A7. Because there are no moving parts, you don't need a lot of power to drive them.
Q8. Explain why solid state devices don't wear out in the same way that a hard drive does.
A8. No moving parts! They use electronics to store data.
Q9. State something that can damage a solid state device such as a pen drive.
A9. Dropping them and subjecting them to heat may damage them.
Q10. Why should you always use the unplugging utility that comes with operating systems for removing a USB pen drive from a computer?
A10. When you unplug an electrical device, you can cause a tiny spark, which can destroy electronics. The unplugging utility removes the power from the device before it is unplugged.