3.3 · Lesson 3 of 4
Off-line storage: optical, tape and flash
Syllabus 3.3.3
What this lesson covers
- Explain how magnetic, optical and solid-state storage work
Key vocabulary
- Off-line storage
- Storage that isn't permanently connected to the computer, e.g. USB drives and optical discs.
- Optical storage
- Uses lasers to read and write data, e.g. CD, DVD and Blu-ray.
- Pit
- A tiny dip burned into the track of an optical disc.
- Land
- A flat area on the track of an optical disc.
- Spiral track
- The single track on an optical disc, spiralling out from the centre.
- Magnetic tape
- A reel of magnetically coated tape in a cartridge. It has a huge capacity and serial access.
- Serial access
- Data must be searched for from the start, in order, rather than accessed directly.
- USB flash drive
- A small, portable solid-state storage device that uses flash memory.
Check your learning
- Quick check: 4 questions
- Key vocabulary test: 8 terms
- Activity 1: Magnetic, optical or solid state? · drag and drop
- Activity 2: Choose the storage · 8 scenarios
- Activity 3: Off-line storage quiz · 8 questions