Which type of memory loses its contents when power is removed?

• A. Non-volatile memory
• B. Volatile memory
• C. RAM
• D. Open source

Answer: (B)

Volatile memory loses its contents when power is removed. It relies on continuous electrical power to preserve data, so when the system is shut down or power fails, the stored information disappears. A familiar example is RAM (random-access memory), which provides fast, temporary storage during operation and is cleared when you turn off the device. Non-volatile memory, by contrast, retains data without power—like flash memory in USB drives, SSDs, or ROM. Open source isn’t a memory type at all.