Which type of memory is volatile and loses its contents when power is turned off?

RAM, or Random Access Memory, is the type of memory that is characterized as volatile, meaning it requires power to maintain its stored information. When the power is turned off, all data stored in RAM is lost. This characteristic makes RAM suitable for temporary storage of data and programs that a computer is currently using or processing.

In contrast, flash memory is non-volatile, allowing it to retain information even without power, which is why it is commonly used in USB drives and SSDs. EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) and ROM (Read-Only Memory) are also non-volatile; they retain data when power is lost and are typically used for permanent data storage, such as firmware or system software.

Understanding the differences between these memory types is essential for troubleshooting and configuring computer systems, as each type serves a distinct purpose based on whether they need to retain information after a power outage.