A Level Computer Science OCR Practice Exam

Which of the following describes the main advantage of solid-state memory?

1. It uses magnetic fields to store data.

2. It has higher capacity than RAM.

3. It uses electronic circuits for representation of data.

4. It is always volatile.

The correct answer is: It uses electronic circuits for representation of data.

The main advantage of solid-state memory is indeed that it uses electronic circuits for the representation of data. This technology allows for faster access times and increased durability compared to traditional mechanical storage devices. Solid-state memory, such as flash memory, doesn't have moving parts, which makes it more reliable and less susceptible to damage from physical shock. The other choices describe characteristics that are not aligned with the primary benefits of solid-state memory. For example, the use of magnetic fields pertains to magnetic storage devices like hard drives, which is not applicable to solid-state memory. The statement regarding RAM's capacity can be misleading, as solid-state memory may not necessarily have higher capacity than RAM; their uses and capacities differ based on application needs. Lastly, the assertion that solid-state memory is always volatile is incorrect; while some types of solid-state memory, like RAM, are volatile, others such as flash memory are non-volatile, meaning they can retain data without power.