What happens to data in system memory when the system is powered off?

When a system is powered off, the data stored in system memory, specifically in volatile memory types like RAM, is lost. Volatile memory requires a constant supply of electrical power to retain data; once the power is removed, all stored information is cleared. This characteristic distinguishes volatile memory from non-volatile storage, like hard drives or SSDs, where data is preserved even without power.

In contrast, choices that suggest data is saved to the hard drive or retained until the next reboot do not reflect the behavior of the system's volatile memory. While there are processes to save data to permanent storage manually, such as file saving functionalities, these actions are not automatic upon shutdown. The option regarding data transfer to external storage is also misleading, as this doesn't happen without an explicit operation executed by the user or software before powering down the device. Therefore, the accurate conclusion regarding system memory is that all data present in volatile storage is indeed lost when the system shuts off.