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Storage Devices - Hard Disk |   |
Hardware - Peripherals
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The hard disk is a direct-access storage medium with a rigid magnetic disk. The data is stored as magnetised spots arranged in concentric circles (tracks) on the disk. Each track is divided into sectors. The number of tracks and sectors on a disk is known as its 'format'.
 Hard disk showing internal mechanisms High data rates demand that the disk rotates at a high speed (about 3,600 rpm). As the disk rotates read/write heads move to the correct track. The disk is sealed and lubricated and the head hovers on a cushion of air just above the disk to avoid damage. These are therefore called floating heads.
The storage capacity of
a hard disk can be Gigabytes (Gb), i.e. thousands of Megabytes (1000Mb), of
information. |