Difference between Disc and Disk
Although disc and disk sound the same, they are used differently in the context of technology and computing. Here is a clear comparison:
| Feature | Disk 🧠(with “k”) | Disc 💿 (with “c”) |
|---|---|---|
| Spelling Use | Common in computing (U.S. English) | Used in optical media |
| Storage Type | Magnetic storage | Optical storage |
| Examples | Hard Disk Drive (HDD), Floppy Disk | CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) |
| Read/Write | Can be read & written multiple times | Usually read-only or limited write (like CD-RW) |
| Material | Usually metal/plastic platters | Made of polycarbonate plastic |
| Usage | Computer internal storage | Music, video, data distribution |
| Spinning | Yes – spinning platters | Yes – spinning disc for laser reading |
| Technology | Magnetic | Optical (uses laser) |
🔹 Simple Trick to Remember
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Disk with k → Hard disk, Floppy disk (Computer storage)
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Disc with c → CD, DVD (Circular optical media)
📘 Examples:
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✅ Hard Disk Drive (HDD) → Disk
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✅ Compact Disc (CD) → Disc
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✅ Floppy Disk → Disk
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✅ Blu-ray Disc → Disc
📌 MCQ for Exam
1. Which of the following uses optical storage technology?
A) Hard Disk
B) Floppy Disk
C) Compact Disc
D) SSD
✔️ Answer: C
2. Which spelling is used for magnetic storage media?
A) Disc
B) Disk
C) Both
D) None
✔️ Answer: B