Does a USB stick with data weigh more? Easily explained
Nowadays there are USB sticks with a storage capacity of up to 256 gigabytes. But does a memory stick weigh more when it is loaded with data? We'll give you the answer.
Does a USB stick with data weigh more than an empty one?
Some people will immediately shake their heads from the gut. In fact, the weight usually doesn't change. The reason for this lies in the way information is stored on the USB stick.
- The information transferred to the memory stick is stored in binary form, that is to say as a sequence of ones and zeros. This information is displayed in the stick in the so-called transistors. For a zero, the transistor is charged with electrons. Not at one.
- This charge is generated in the transistor through the interaction of several parts. The "Source" and "Drain" components, which are made of a highly conductive material, are separated by the floating gate. This is the actual location. A negative or positive voltage can be applied by means of the control gate
- If the USB stick is empty, the floating gate is discharged. The electrons are therefore not on the gate, but in the other components of the capacitor.
- When data is loaded onto the USB stick, the electrons are only redistributed so that the weight remains the same.
Exceptions confirm the rule: when the weight changes
Nevertheless, the weight of a USB stick is subject to minimal weight fluctuations.
- According to Einstein, there is also a change in mass due to the amount of energy required to apply the charge. However, this is actually not measurable.
- The effect of the capacitors also influences the weight of the data storage.
- To clarify the order of magnitude: Both of these cases do not even have nearly as much influence on the weight of the USB stick as the skin abrasion that remains on the USB stick when plugged in