What is a main source of power costs for e-mail?

Question

Options

• AReading e-mail
• BSaving e-mail
• CSending e-mail

• A
  6% (2)
• B
  89% (31)
• C
  6% (2)

Explanation

Saving e-mail is a main source of power costs because stored messages must reside on servers that run continuously, requiring constant electricity for both the storage hardware and the cooling systems that prevent overheating. Data centers worldwide hold trillions of saved emails, and maintaining that data around the clock adds up to significant cumulative energy consumption.

Why the distractors are wrong:

• A (Reading e-mail): Reading is a brief, passive retrieval action - it uses minimal power and has no persistent energy demand once the session ends.
• C (Sending e-mail): Sending is also a short-lived event; the transmission itself consumes relatively little power compared to the ongoing cost of storing data indefinitely.

Memory tip: Think of "Save = Storage = Servers always on." Storage is permanent and therefore draws permanent power, while sending and reading are momentary actions.

No community discussion yet for this question.