EXCEPT problem

[amysky_0205]

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`s 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`s 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

can someone explain this one?
It's a little difficult choosing the right one.

thank u!

[shenoydevika]

Hey amysky! I can help.

What are we told?
1. Electronic computer chips contain millions of electronic switches. Unfortunately, these switches cannot withstand intense radiation (Use of the word unfortunate tells us that it would be helpful if there were chips that withstood radiation)
2. Micro-Mechanics plans to produce chips with mechanical switches that can withstand radiation. But they will be slower than the other chips (12,000 switches compared to millions of switches)

If Micro-Mechanics plans to produce such chips, Micro-Mechanics must know that they have a market for their chips despite being slow.

We are asked to choose the option that would NOT have to be true for this. Meaning there will 4 options out of 5 which will be requirements for Micro-Mechanics to have a market.
The other option would either be a disadvantage to Micro-Mechanics or would not affect Micro-Mechanics at all! (Is this part clear?)

A - This is a requirement. If all application require super fast computer chips, Micro-Mechanics' chips would not be able to compete. They would not have a market.
B - Electronic chips with 12,000 switches would be as slow or as fast as Micro-Mechanics' chips. Why would people want to buy Micro-Mechanics chips? Because those other electronic chips are vulnerable to radiation and Micro-Mechanics' chips aren't. This is a requirement.
C - The advantage of Micro-Mechanics' chips is that they will survive intense radiation. If there are no applications where chips will need to survive intense radiation, then Micro-Mechanics will not have a market. Requirement!
D - We know that computer chips are useless alone. If all other components of the computer malfunction after radiation-exposure, Micro-Mechanics' chips would not be able to function alone. There should be other computer components that will survive radiation so that the chips can be used with them. Requirement.
E - If manufacturers are able to protect their electronic chips against exposure to intense radiation, then why would they want to install Micro-Mechanics' chips? They are slower right? Their only advantage is that they can withstand radiation which is not a problem for electronic chips anymore(they will be protected) If this is true, it would be a major setback for Micro-Mechanics. So E is the correct answer.

Is this clear?