Which type of memory is temporary and erased when the computer is turned off?

Which type of memory is temporary and erased when the computer is turned off?

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

Answer: (C)

This question hinges on the idea of volatile versus non-volatile memory. RAM, which stands for Random Access Memory, is volatile memory. It holds data and program state only while the computer has power, so the information is lost as soon as power is removed. That’s why RAM is described as temporary: it’s the fast workspace the CPU uses for active tasks, loaded data, and running programs, and it’s cleared on shutdown. In contrast, ROM stores firmware and remains unchanged without power, and a hard drive (or SSD) stores data persistently for long-term use. CPU cache is also volatile, but it’s a very small, specialized fast memory used to speed up access to frequently used data, not the main working storage. Because RAM best fits the idea of temporary, power-off erasing, it is the correct type of memory described.

This question hinges on the idea of volatile versus non-volatile memory. RAM, which stands for Random Access Memory, is volatile memory. It holds data and program state only while the computer has power, so the information is lost as soon as power is removed. That’s why RAM is described as temporary: it’s the fast workspace the CPU uses for active tasks, loaded data, and running programs, and it’s cleared on shutdown.

In contrast, ROM stores firmware and remains unchanged without power, and a hard drive (or SSD) stores data persistently for long-term use. CPU cache is also volatile, but it’s a very small, specialized fast memory used to speed up access to frequently used data, not the main working storage. Because RAM best fits the idea of temporary, power-off erasing, it is the correct type of memory described.