Electronic computer chips made of tiny silicon wagers 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 wil 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 anm 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' chips may have to survive intense radiantion

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.

the correct answer is E.

Why D is not correct?

D means other parts will still have to be functional, post radiation exposure, besides the chip. It is a valid assumption because if the chip is the only functional part after the radiation, then it'll be useless anyway.

我的理解是，既然装置里有其他要求能survive radiation的component,　那么这个装置也要能忍受辐射，因此也要求chip能忍受辐射，这正是这种新芯片的优势。D错。