Final answer:
CD-ROMs and DVDs are examples of optical drives, which use lasers to read and write digital information on discs. They can store large amounts of data and were commonly used for media storage.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of storage devices, CD-ROMs and DVDs are examples of optical drives. Unlike hard drives, which use magnetic fields to store data, or solid state drives (SSDs), which use flash memory, optical drives use a laser to read and write data. CD-ROMs and DVDs are examples of optical drives, which use lasers to read and write digital information on discs. They can store large amounts of data and were commonly used for media storage.
A laser creates tiny pits on the surface of the disc to record digital information, and another laser reads these pits as the disc spins, interpreting the light reflections as data. This technology allows optical drives to store large amounts of data, making them ideal for media storage such as music and videos before the era of streaming services took over.