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.