Does memory stored in a (computer) drive have weight?

Question

I know it seems like a pointless question, and I guess I should first research how memory is actually stored... but I thought I would ask anyways.

Answer 1

Not in a disk drive or other magnetic medium or optical medium to any measurable degree. The bits are represented by a change of material properties that does not involve particle (mass) transfer. In a RAM, though, the information in represented by a voltage on a tiny capacitor. Which ever bit is represented by the more negative charge would cause the capacitor to weigh more by perhaps a few hundred electron masses, since electrons are ultimately carrying the charge (even with hole transfer).

Answer 2

Since it only involves changing the polarity of tiny magnets on the disk, there is NO weight change whatsoever. This is true of hard disks, floppy disks and solid state memory (such as RAM or USB memory sticks).

There is some evidence that 'burning' data to a CD changes the weight of the CD fractionally (since a very small amount of material is vaporised).

Answer 3

Interesting question actually. The Drive is magnetic, so, depending on various circumstances it could maybe change weight according to various magnetic principles. But, the amount would be super negligible and I doubt there an instrument that could measure it. I just try to look at the possibility it could, but, I really not know. It most likely does not have weight.

Answer 4

Yes and no. The memory (either RAM or hard drive) has weight, but that weight does not change when varying amounts of data are stored on it.

Answer 5

No.

Memory essentially is tiny switches pointing to 0 or 1.

The direction of the switches does not affect the weight of the drive.

Answer 6

No it doesnt