Secondary Memory - Word Drop

Secondary storage keeps programs and data when the power is switched off, because it is ______. The ______ cannot access it directly, so its contents must be copied into main memory first. Devices may be internal or ______ to the computer, and portable ones are used to ______ data between computers.

Magnetic storage uses mechanical parts. A mechanical arm moves a read/write ______ over the surface of a spinning disk. Hard disk drives have a very large storage ______, up to several terabytes. Magnetic ______ is supplied on long reels and is often used for archiving data.

Optical discs such as CDs and DVDs store data as ______ and lands in a spiral track. A ______ beam is reflected from the surface, and the pattern of reflection gives the 0s and 1s. ______ discs are optical too, and are used to distribute high-definition films and games.

Solid state storage, such as SSDs and USB memory sticks, records data in ______ memory chips. A large electric current forces ______ through a barrier and traps them, which stores a 0 or a 1. Because there are no moving parts to break, solid state storage is very ______.