Which type of memory is volatile and loses its contents when power is lost?

Which type of memory is volatile and loses its contents when power is lost?

• A. Random Access Memory
• B. Read-Only Memory
• C. Hard Disk Drive
• D. Non-Volatile Flash

Answer: (A)

Volatile memory is memory that loses its contents when power is removed. Random Access Memory fits this: it holds data and program state only while the system is powered. Once you shut down or lose power, the data in RAM disappears, which is why RAM is described as volatile. In contrast, Read-Only Memory is non-volatile and retains data without power, while hard disk drives and non-volatile flash memory also store information even when power is off. So the type of memory that is volatile and loses its contents when power is lost is RAM.

Volatile memory is memory that loses its contents when power is removed. Random Access Memory fits this: it holds data and program state only while the system is powered. Once you shut down or lose power, the data in RAM disappears, which is why RAM is described as volatile.

In contrast, Read-Only Memory is non-volatile and retains data without power, while hard disk drives and non-volatile flash memory also store information even when power is off. So the type of memory that is volatile and loses its contents when power is lost is RAM.