GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE

Computers
1.2 Memory, Storage and Binary
Primary Memory

This is storage that the CPU (processor) can access directly. There are two types of primary memory:

RAM ROM
Random Access Memory Read Only Memory
Activity 1

Fill in the blanks

Write out the following sentences about memory and fill in the blanks.

Primary memory is storage that the CPU can access __________.

There are two main types of primary memory; __________ and
__________ .
RAM

RAM is used to store the programs (applications) and data the computer is currently working on.

RAM is volatile, this means that it is wiped when the power is turned off.

The more RAM a computer has, the more programs and data it can run at the same time without it slowing down.
Activity 2

RAM is used to store the __________ and data the computer is

currently working on. RAM is __________ , this means that it is
wiped when the power is turned __________ . The more RAM a
computer has, the more programs and data it can deal with at
the same time without __________ down.
ROM

When a computer is turned on it needs to start fetching and executing instructions.

The problem is that RAM is blank when the computer is turned on.

The ROM contain the program that is used to start up the computer. This is known as the ‘boot’ program.

In many systems the boot program is known as the BIOS (Basic Input Output System).

The program inside the ROM is not easily changed or deleted.

Activity 3

ROM: When a computer is turned on it needs to start __________ and

__________ instructions. The problem is the RAM is __________ when
the computer is turned on. The ROM contains the program that is used to
start-up the computer. This is called the __________ program. In many
systems the boot program is known as the __________ (Basic Input
Output System). The program inside the ROM is not easily __________
or deleted.
Secondary Storage

These devices allow data to be stored when not in use by the CPU.

They are non-volatile so the data is not lost when the computer is turned off.

They also allow users to transfer data from one computer to another.

When data in secondary storage needs to be used, it needs to be transferred to the primary memory.
Internal and Removable

Internal
Internal storage devices are built into the computer. They are used to store the operating system, programs and files.
Example: Hard disk drive.

Removable
Refers to storage that can be taken away from the computer and used on another computer.

Sometimes the device itself is not removed from the computer, only the medium on which the data is stored is
removed not the drive.
Example: CDs and DVDs
Activity 4

Fill in the blanks

Write out the following sentences about secondary storage and fill in the blanks.

Secondary Storage: These devices allow __________ to be stored when

not in use by the CPU. They are __________ so the data is not lost when
the computer is turned off. They also allow users to __________ data from
one computer to another. When data in secondary storage needs to be
used, it needs to be transferred from the __________ __________ .
Activity 5

Fill in the blanks

Write out the following sentences about storage and fill in the blanks.

Internal & Removable Storage: Internal storage devices are built into the
__________ . They are used to __________ the operating system,
programs and files. Refers to storage that can be taken away from the
computer and used on __________ computer. Sometimes the device itself
is not __________ from the computer, only the medium on which the
data is stored (e.g. a CD) is removed not the drive.
Magnetic Storage

Feature a spinning disc and a moving head that can either magnetise or demagnetise any part of the disk.

1s are represented by the magnetised parts of the disc.

0s are represented by the demagnetised parts of the disc.

Hard Disk Drive Floppy Disks

Optical Storage

The data is stored on a reflective disk.

0s are represented by altering parts of the disc so they don’t reflect a laser beam

1s are represented by parts that haven’t been altered and still reflect a beam.

CDs DVDs Blu-Rays

Solid State Storage

The term solid-state refers to all devices that use flash memory.

They are ‘solid-state’ because they have no moving parts.

This is useful for portable devices that need to be carried around. They are also faster and more reliable.

Internal Drives Memory Sticks Memory Cards

Activity 6

Fill in the blanks

Write out the following sentences about magnetic storage and fill in the blanks.

Magnetic Storage: Feature a spinning __________ and a moving head that

can either __________ or __________ any part of the disk. 1s are
represented by the __________ parts of the disc. 0s are represented by
the __________ parts of the disc.
Activity 7

Fill in the blanks

Write out the following sentences about optical storage and fill in the blanks.

Optical Storage: The data is stored on a __________ disk. 0s are

represented by altering parts of the disc so they don’t reflect a
__________ __________ . 1s are represented by parts that haven’t been
altered and still __________ a laser beam.
Activity 8

Fill in the blanks

Write out the following sentences about solid state storage and fill in the blanks.

Solid-State Storage: The term solid-state refers to all devices that use
__________ memory. They are ‘solid-state’ because they have no
__________ parts. This is useful for __________ devices that need to be
carried around. They are also faster and more reliable.
Binary

What is binary?
Denary

The denary number system (also known as decimal) uses 10 symbols (0-9) to represent numbers. It is a base-10 number
system.

Humans use it because we have 10 fingers.

Circuits

Computers don’t have fingers, they have circuits. These circuits can be in one of two states, on or off. So they use a
base-2 number system.

On = 1
Off = 0
Transistors
Transistors are switches that are used in digital circuits,
in their off state they represent a 0 and in their on state
they represent a 1.

Computers use combinations of millions or even billions

of transistors to carry out instructions.
Counting in Binary Part 1

We need 8 volunteers to stand at the front facing the class.

Each place in a binary number has a value. These go up in multiples of 2.

128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

Sitting = 0 Standing = 1
Counting in Binary Part 2

This is how we represent the number 1 in binary.

Who needs to stand up?

128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Counting in Binary Part 3

This is how we represent the number 2 in binary.

Who needs to show a number one and who need to show zeros?

128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Counting in Binary Part 4

How do we represent these numbers in binary?

65 92 21 129 254

255 58 5 17 72
63 7 167 150 256

128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1
Denary to Binary

65
Start by writing out the place values:

128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0
Then write 1s underneath the place values that add up to the denary number.

As a class convert these numbers from denary to binary:

ACTIVITY

a. 3
b. 46
c. 76
Binary to Denary

Start by writing out the place values:

128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0
As a class convert these numbers 64+8+2=74
from binary to denary:
ACTIVITY

a. 01010110
b. 01011010
c. 10010011
Activity 9

Binary Task

You are going to write a guide in your book on how to convert between binary and denary and vice versa.

The guide should be written for someone who has never learnt binary before. For example, year 7 students.

It could use text, images and diagrams and should take up half a page in your exercise book.

The design should take up a whole page.