Which of the following describes RAM?

RAM, or Random Access Memory, is characterized by its volatile nature, meaning it only retains data while the computer is powered on. When a computer is turned off, all information stored in RAM is lost. This makes RAM essential for active tasks and processes, as it allows for quick read and write access to data that is being used by the CPU. It serves as the workspace where the operating system, applications, and currently processed data reside for quick access.

The other statements do not accurately reflect the nature of RAM. While RAM can indeed expand during heavy compute tasks (such as using more applications), it is not described simply as temporary memory that "expands." Additionally, RAM is not exclusively for applications; it also stores system-level operations and temporary data needed for the RAM to facilitate multitasking. Lastly, the statement about retaining information permanently is incorrect, as that describes non-volatile storage types like SSDs or hard drives, not RAM.