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Computer Organisation Homework 6 Secondary Storage

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13 views2 pages

Computer Organisation Homework 6 Secondary Storage

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Uploaded by

ksshubhan
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Homework 6 Storage devices

Unit 5 Computer organisation

Homework 6 Secondary storage devices

1. A list of storage devices is given below.

CD-ROM DVD Hard Disk USB Flash Memory stick

a) Using the table below, state the typical capacity of each of the above devices. [4]

Typical capacity Storage medium


512 Megabytes – 128 Gigabytes USB Flash Memory stick
512 Gigabytes – 4 Terabytes Hard Disk
600 Megabytes – 700 Megabytes CD-ROM
2.8 Gigabytes – 4.7 Gigabytes DVD

b) Describe how data is written to and read from an optical disk. [3]

A high powered laser is used to write information to the disk by burning pits on the disk
so the disc will contain a combination of pits and lands. A low powered laser is used to
read information from the disk. When a low powered laser is incident on a land the light
is reflected back onto a photodiode. When the same low powered laser is incident on
pit the light is scattered in different directions rather than being reflected back onto a
photodiode. This creates a pattern of reflections and scatterings which can be
converted into a digital signal of 1s and 0s. The transition between a pit and a land
represents a 1 and the continuation of a pit or a land represents a 0.

c) Explain how a DVD and a CD-ROM differ in storage capacity despite being the same
physical size. [1/2]

The recorded pit size on a DVD is smaller than that on a CD so there will be more pits
and lands on a DVD disk than a CD-ROM so there will be more transitions and
continuation of pits and lands.

d) Why might an individual prefer to keep an archive of their files on a local storage
medium rather than using online cloud storage? [2]

Need a constant internet connection to access your data


Internet connection may be too slow
Files may be susceptible to interception

1
Homework 6 Storage devices
Unit 5 Computer organisation

2. Hard drive technology has meant that more data has been able to fit onto the same sized
physical disk.

a) Describe the principles of operation of a hard disk drive. [4]

A hard disk drive is composed of a number of circular platters each of which are made
from a magnetic material. Above each platter hovers an actuating arm with a read-write
head attached to it. The actuating arm allows the read write head to move in and out so
that it can access all portions of each platter. The read-write head changes the
magnetic polarity of parts of the platter. Data is written onto the disk in concentric
tracks each of which is further divided into sectors. The disk continually spins at a high
speed allowing for good write speeds.

b) Suggest two disadvantages of using a hard disk for data storage over optical disks or
flash media. [2]

Hard disk drives have slow access times. Hard disk drives are susceptible to damage
from movement because they contain a large number of moving parts.

c) State one technological change that has allowed hard disk capacity to increase without
increasing the physical size of the disk. [1]

Increasing the number of platters which are packed closer together

Increasing the number of tracks on each platter

[Total 18 Marks]

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