Which of the following is an example of a storage device?

A hard drive is an example of a storage device because it is specifically designed to store and retrieve digital information. Hard drives can either be traditional mechanical disks (HDDs) that use spinning disks to read/write data, or solid-state drives (SSDs) which use flash memory to achieve quicker access times and faster performance. The primary function of storage devices like hard drives is to retain data even when the computer is powered off, allowing users to store files, applications, and the operating system itself for long-term use.

In contrast, RAM, or Random Access Memory, is a type of volatile memory that temporarily stores data that the CPU needs while performing tasks, but it loses all information when the power is turned off. The CPU, or Central Processing Unit, is the core component responsible for executing instructions and processing data but does not store information long-term. The motherboard serves as the main circuit board that connects all computer components, including the CPU and RAM, but it is not itself a storage device.