Pronunciation: [hˈɑːd dˈɪsk] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "hard disc" is based on its pronunciation. In phonetic transcription, it is written as /hɑːd dɪsk/. The first syllable, "hard," is pronounced with a long "a" sound, followed by a short "d" sound. The second syllable, "disc," is pronounced with a short "i" sound, followed by a soft "s" sound, and ends with a hard "k" sound. In modern technology, a hard disc refers to a non-volatile device for data storage.
A hard disc, also commonly referred to as a hard disk, is a type of computer storage device that permanently stores and retrieves digital data on a magnetic surface. It is used to store and operate information in a non-volatile manner, meaning that the data remains intact even after the computer is powered off.
The hard disc is typically housed within the computer or laptop, though it can also be found as an external device. It consists of several rotating magnetic platters that are attached to a spindle, allowing them to rotate at high speeds. These platters are coated with a thin layer of magnetic material, which stores the data in the form of magnetic charges.
The hard disc operates by using a read and write head to access and modify the information stored on the platters. When data needs to be accessed, the read head moves across the platter, detecting the magnetic charges and converting them into electrical signals that are then decoded by the computer. The write head is responsible for changing the magnetic charges on the platters to store new or modified data.
Hard discs are known for their ability to store vast amounts of data, ranging from a few gigabytes to several terabytes. They provide a relatively low-cost storage solution, offering larger capacities compared to other storage devices. However, they are mechanical devices and can be more prone to failures or damage compared to solid-state drives (SSDs). Despite this drawback, hard discs remain widely used and are an essential component of many computer systems.
The term "hard disk" or "hard disc" is derived from the combination of two components: "hard" and "disk".
The word "hard" is used to describe the durability and rigidness of the storage medium. In the context of hard discs, it refers to the rigid, inflexible nature of the metal or glass platters used for data storage. The term "hard" is in contrast to its predecessor, the "floppy disk", which was a flexible magnetic storage medium.
The term "disk" refers to the circular shape of the storage medium. Hard disks consist of one or more flat, circular platters, coated with a magnetic material and stacked on top of each other. These platters rotate rapidly in a drive, allowing data to be read from or written to the disks.
