eli5 How does storing data using electricity work?

Question

I mean I can run a current through a metal pipe but it doesn’t mean I can store a copy of Skyrim on it.

In: 0

Answer 1

Another comment already explained it but unpowered memory storage like an SSD is basically millions of little capacitors that store a charge, and whether or not it is charged tells you if there is a zero or a one and that is information. Ssd’s can also fail when the capacitors insulator degrades and the charge leaks out, turning the 1 into a 0 and creating errors.