RAM is volatile, because RAM requires a continuous flow of power to be able to retain the memory that is being stored within the RAM. Meaning, that whenever power is turned off and there is no longer a flow of electricity all data that is stored within the RAM is erased.
( Read below for more information regarding what type of memory is non-volatile)
Now the type of storage device that is non-volatile is your hard-drive. It is non-volatile, because even when there is not a constant flow of electricity to the computer all of the memory that was stored in the hard drive stays on the hard drive till you want it removed.
( A tip below to help you remember what is volatile and what is non-volatile)
a good tip that I have figured out that will help you remember the difference between volatile and non-volatile is to look at the ( v ) in the word volatile. You can think of the v as representing volts. so if you see something that says volatile just think of the v, and you will remember that since it is volatile it requires power to hold the memory. When non-volatile is said look for the ( v ) again and think of the word non-volatile as it was saying no volts, because volts are not needed for something that is non-volatile for it to retain its memory. I hope these tips help you out and you have a good day.
volatile and nonvolatile
In terms of computing history, some types of RAM that have been used are:Williams-Kilbern CRT dynamic RAMSelectron Tube static RAMWhirlwind Floodgun Tube static RAMMagnetic Core nonvolatile static RAMMagnetic Thinfilm nonvolatile static RAMMagnetic Plated Wire nonvolatile static RAMSolidstate IC static RAM*Solidstate IC dynamic RAM*Magnetic Solidstate IC nonvolatile static MRAMNote: * These are the most common RAM in use today.
There is no non-volatile RAM, because a hard-drive is what is nonvolatile, because it retains its memory even after there is no power to the computer. RAM is volatile, because when there is no power all data that was stored in the RAM is lost.
Volatile memory loses its stored data when power is lost, while nonvolatile memory retains its stored data even without power. Examples of volatile memory include RAM, while nonvolatile memory includes hard drives and SSDs.
Flash memory and Rom I think
The greatest nonvolatile storage capacity in the computer system is usually found in secondary storage and mostly on the hard disk. RAM on the other hand represents the greatest volatile storage capacity on a computer.
BIOS is a program (stored in ROM), not a memory.However the BIOS uses a battery backed up RAM to store a variety of settings and parameters. This BIOS RAM is itself volatile (it can only store data when powered), however the battery backup provides power to this RAM when the main power of the computer is off (making it act as if it were nonvolatile). When this battery dies the BIOS RAM will lose its data and (after the battery is replaced) the machine may have to be reconfigured from scratch before the machine will startup correctly.
Nonvolatile, it stores its data with or without power.
Modern Computers have both volatile memory - RAM and non-volatile memory - Hard Disk
1. What is the difference in volatile and nonvolatile memory?
Nonvolatile solutions do not readily evaporate and have very low vapor pressures.
Yes It retains information even when powered down. vs RAM which is a volatile storage device because the information is lost when it's powered down.