Critical Reasoning

Electronic computer chips made of tiny silicon wafers now regularly contain millions
of electronic switches. Unfortunately, electronic switches that are this small cannot
withstand intense radiation. Micro-Mechanics plans to produce a chip that, because
it uses only microscopic mechanical switches, will be invulnerable to radiation
damage. The switches will, however, be slower than electronic switches and the
chip will contain only 12,000 switches.

For there to be a market for Micro-Mechanics’ chip as a result of the apparent
advantage described above, each of the following would have to be true EXCEPT:

A. There will be applications in which the speed attainable by an electronic
switch is not essential.
B. Switches used on electronic chips that contain only 12,000 switches are more
vulnerable to radiation damage than the switches on Micro-Mechanics’ chip
will be.
C. There will be applications for computer chips in environments where the chips
may have to survive intense radiation.
D. Some devices in which computer chips will be used will have other
components that will be able to function during or after exposure to radiation.
E. Manufacturers are able to protect electronic computer chips against exposure
to intense radiation, where this protection is necessary.

OA E

Manufacturers are able to protect electronic computer chips against exposure
to intense radiation, where this protection is necessary


if manufacture provides the protection, then no need for manufacturer to build those switches....

IMO E

Yes I too can see E is not true, though D is a close ally and may be most confusing considering similar X questions of other type, I will mark T for all that is required:

A. There will be applications in which the speed attainable by an electronic
switch is not essential.
T: Because otherwise no one will use this switch if they need faster one only
B. Switches used on electronic chips that contain only 12,000 switches are more vulnerable to radiation damage than the switches on Micro-Mechanics’ chip will be.

T: This is a good alternate kill. If with only 12000 there is no issue with other chips inspite of making millions they will only make 12000 switches...but since radiation is more they cant do so.

C. There will be applications for computer chips in environments where the chips may have to survive intense radiation.
T: Like A its needed true
D. Some devices in which computer chips will be used will have other
components that will be able to function during or after exposure to radiation.
COnfused: WHy this will be a must true?? if it had been strengthen/weakenX question it was a good contender....
E. Manufacturers are able to protect electronic computer chips against exposure to intense radiation, where this protection is necessary.
NT: Obvious, if it iwas so then no need for such chips

Can someone please explain why D must be true? I can't understand why it's even relevant at all. Thanks.

IMO - E

the OA is E. But why is D not a good answer?

D is not a good answer.

If other components of the computer were affected by radiation, then there is no point installing microscopic mechanical switches invulnerable to radiation.

D says that some devices using computer chips will be able to function after exposure to radiaion. So, most devices will not be able to function after exposure to radiation.

This makes a strong case for a market to exist for mechanical switches made by Micro-Mechanics

raptor84 wrote:Electronic computer chips made of tiny silicon wafers now regularly contain millions
of electronic switches. Unfortunately, electronic switches that are this small cannot
withstand intense radiation. Micro-Mechanics plans to produce a chip that, because
it uses only microscopic mechanical switches, will be invulnerable to radiation
damage. The switches will, however, be slower than electronic switches and the
chip will contain only 12,000 switches.

For there to be a market for Micro-Mechanics’ chip as a result of the apparent
advantage described above, each of the following would have to be true EXCEPT:

A. There will be applications in which the speed attainable by an electronic
switch is not essential.
B. Switches used on electronic chips that contain only 12,000 switches are more
vulnerable to radiation damage than the switches on Micro-Mechanics’ chip
will be.
C. There will be applications for computer chips in environments where the chips
may have to survive intense radiation.
D. Some devices in which computer chips will be used will have other
components that will be able to function during or after exposure to radiation.
E. Manufacturers are able to protect electronic computer chips against exposure
to intense radiation, where this protection is necessary.

OA E

E present an alternative or rather a solution to the problem hence no need to introduce new micro chips.
D provides argument for market of new chips

IMO we can kick out D based on the following reasoning...please tell me if there are gaps in my logic....

1) exposure to radiation is a factor in some devices....
2) some devices will not work in the when we will install electronic chips...although they have no problem in any other component(as stated in D)....
3) Thus in order to get these devices somehow work we need to replace them with new mechanical chips.

Basically

X + Y = non working.
Where X = electronic chips.
Y = other components(which are working perfectly fine even with radiation as stated in D)

But Z + Y = work fine...
where Z = mechanical chips.]
Y = other components(which are working perfectly fine even with radiation as stated in D)

Thus these devices will work fine with mechanical chips but will not work with electrnic chips as explained above....so D makes case of market for mechanical chips stronger by making those "some devices" work with mechanical chips.

I hope I am clear in my explanation above.

Well I feel D is the answer. I guess I'm right. If some expert could throw light on the reasoning it would be a big help.