A new type of solar cell, DSSC, is creating significant interest in

Question

Scientist:  A new type of solar cell, DSSC, is creating significant interest in the field of renewable energy sources. Compared to other types of solar cells, DSSCs cost less to produce, a crucial benefit for such an expensive technology. DSSCs also use titanium dioxide nanoparticles as working electrodes; these nanoparticles provide greater efficiency at capturing solar energy than does any other type of working electrode investigated to date. Given these initial factors, DSSCs will be more successful than any solar cell technology currently on the market.

Select an assumption required by the scientist’s argument. Then, select a possible fact that, if true, would weaken the scientist’s argument. Make only two selections, one in each column.

Sajjad1994 · Accepted Answer

Official Explanation

The argument is quite technical; try to focus on the big picture as much as possible. Here’s one possible way to map the argument on your scrap paper:

DSSC: cost less to make

efficient: TD nano

@ DSSC more success than other current SCs

The author cites two reasons why DSSCs are creating significant interest: they are less expensive to produce, and the use of a particular type of nanoparticle will help make DSSCs very efficient. The author concludes that these two advantages will make DSSCs more successful than any other competing products currently on the market; what must the author assume to draw this conclusion?

At the least, she is assuming that the other competing products can’t take advantage of these same benefits to reduce costs and improve efficiency. If it were the case that the competitors could use these benefits, too, then she wouldn't reasonably be able to conclude that DSSCs will be more successful than these other products.

To weaken the author’s conclusion, find a new piece of information that, if true, would make her conclusion at least a little less likely to be true.

(A) This is a trap assumption answer.  The argument does indicate that efficiency is an important factor, but it does not claim that efficiency is the most important factor. The author is not assuming this to be true. Nor, if this were true, would it weaken the argument.

(B) Unrelated.  The author is arguing about the success of the DSSCs relative to other solar cells. She is not discussing finding new uses for solar cells in general. In addition, her conclusion is specifically limited to a discussion of solar cells on the market today, not future technology.

(C) This is both a trap assumption and a trap weaken answer.  The argument does mention the field of renewable energy resources but does not make any claims about other types of renewable energy; it discusses only solar cells. The conclusion specifically compares DSSCs only to other types of solar cells. Other sources, such as windmills, are therefore out of the scope of this argument. (Also: If it were true that other sources would not be as successful as solar cells, then the author’s argument would, if anything, be strengthened, not weakened.)

(D) This is both a trap assumption and a trap weaken answer.  The argument claims only that the titanium dioxide nanoparticles are more efficient than anything investigated to date; it does not discuss what future research could uncover. (Also: If it were true that future research would not uncover more efficient nanoparticles, then the author’s argument would, if anything, be strengthened, not weakened.)

(E) Assumption required.   The author claims that DSSCs are taking advantage of two benefits and, as a result, will be more successful than all other current solar cell technologies. In order to make this claim, the author must believe that the other solar cell technologies cannot themselves, for some reason, take advantage of both of these benefits to be successful.

(F) Possible fact to weaken.   The argument provides two benefits for DSSCs (lower cost to produce, more efficient), but there could be other factors that serve to weaken the technology’s potential. If it is true that DSSCs are much less robust and don’t last as long, then the two benefits cited might not be enough to overcome these other weaknesses and allow DSSCs to be more successful than everything else on the market.

kntombat · Answer

Is the Assumption required this    "Other types of solar cell currently on the market cannot take advantage of similarly less expensive production methods and efficient nanoparticles."    ?

&

Is the Possible fact to weaken this    "Other types of solar cells are more robust than DSSCs and can last more than twice as long when deployed in the field"    ?

Sumi1010 · Answer

Evidences - Compared to other solar cells, DSSCs cost less to produce and have greater efficiency at capturing solar energy.
 Conclusion  : DSSCs will be more successful than any solar cell technology currently on the market.

Prethink Assumptions :  The advantages/features that DSCCs have over other solar cells are not easily copied by the manufacturer of others solar cells. Despite these advantages, DSCCs don't have some significant drawbacks that others don't have. 
Both of these are defensive assumptions.

Now, we need to look for the choice that echoes the similar assumptions required to keep the conclusion intact and the one that undermine the conclusion casting doubt on DSCCs success in current market.

Efficiency in capturing solar energy is the  most important factor  in determining a solar cell technology’s  profit potential. 
 Even if this feature is not the most important factor but is a significant determiner , the conclusion doesn't change. Also, success of the cell may not be only measured in terms of profits. 
 Future research  is likely to focus on finding new uses for solar cell technology.
 The conclusion is - DSSCs will be more successful than any solar cell technology  currently  on the market.
What will happen in future will not change the conclusion for the current market. 
Other renewable energy sources, such as windmills, are not likely to be as successful, in the long-term, as solar cells.
 The argument is between DSSCs and other solar cells and not the generic renewable sources. This does not influence the conclusion. 
Future research is unlikely to uncover other nanoparticles that are as efficient as titanium dioxide.
 The conclusion is about the success in the current market.What will happen in future will not change the conclusion for the current market. 
Other types of solar cell currently on the market cannot take advantage of similarly less expensive production methods and efficient nanoparticles.
 This is the defensive assumption.If the others can take the same advantage, DSSCs may not be successful in the current market as this conclusion is based only on the features of DSSCs. - ASSUMPTION REQUIRED. 
Other types of solar cells are more robust than DSSCs and can last more than twice as long when deployed in the field.
 This information gives additional shield to other solar cells w.r.t DSSCs and this brings the success of the DSSCs into a doubt. POSSIBLE FACT TO WEAKEN.

Thus, 
 Assumption required  - Other types of solar cell currently on the market cannot take advantage of similarly less expensive production methods and efficient nanoparticles.
 Possible fact to weaken  - Other types of solar cells are more robust than DSSCs and can last more than twice as long when deployed in the field

Deepakjhamb · Answer

Assumption required Possible fact to weaken 
Efficiency in capturing solar energy is the most important factor in determining a solar cell technology’s profit potential.
Future research is likely to focus on finding new uses for solar cell technology.
Other renewable energy sources, such as windmills, are not likely to be as successful, in the long-term, as solar cells.
Future research is unlikely to uncover other nanoparticles that are as efficient as titanium dioxide.
Other types of solar cell currently on the market cannot take advantage of similarly less expensive production methods and efficient nanoparticles.
Other types of solar cells are more robust than DSSCs and can last more than twice as long when deployed in the field.

SOLUTION :

Conclusion :Given the initial factors, DSSCs will be more successful than any solar cell technology currently on the market.

Premise :Compared to other types of solar cells, DSSCs cost less to produce, a crucial benefit for such an expensive technology. DSSCs also use titanium dioxide nanoparticles as working electrodes; these nanoparticles provide greater efficiency at capturing solar energy than does any other type of working electrode investigated to date

pre-thinking assumption : we need to assume that solar cells currently in market other than DSSC cannot make use of similarly less expensive production methods and efficient nanoparticles. 
 
 answer : so assumption is : Other types of solar cell currently on the market cannot take advantage of similarly less expensive production methods and efficient nanoparticles. If we negate this we can break the conclusion that DSSC will be more successful than current solar cells , so this answer is verified also

weakener is :Other types of solar cells are more robust than DSSCs and can last more than twice as long when deployed in the field :reasoning if other solar cells have some other advantage which DSSC's do not have, then this can weaken the assumption that DSSC's Solar cell advantages outweigh the other solar cells benefits because of being more efficient and costing less to produce .

lets eliminate other options :

Efficiency in capturing solar energy is the most important factor in determining a solar cell technology’s profit potential:  actually we do not have comparison of efficiency for DSSC and other solar cells , so just defining the importance criteria will not be helpful as either assumption or as weakener , so out  
Future research is likely to focus on finding new uses for solar cell technology:  actually conclusion is only about DSSC's and current solar cells , so we are not concerned about what future research advantages can be , so out  
Other renewable energy sources, such as windmills, are not likely to be as successful, in the long-term, as solar cells:  actually our conclusion is only bothered about DSSC's and current solar technology cells . So we are not bothered about other renewable energy sources like windmills .so this is irrelevant  
Future research is unlikely to uncover other nanoparticles that are as efficient as titanium dioxide:  actually conclusion is only about DSSC's and current solar cells , so we are not concerned about what future research advantages can be , so this is irrelevant and out

TarunKumar1234 · Answer

Conclusion-  DSSCs will be more successful than any solar cell technology currently on the market.

Possible fact to weaken - Other types of solar cells are more robust than DSSCs and can last more than twice as long when deployed in the field. (this fact will undermine the conclusion)

Assumption required - Other types of solar cell currently on the market cannot take advantage of similarly less expensive production methods and efficient nanoparticles.

rocky620 · Answer

Fact 
 DSSC -   Less Production Cost, based on expensive technology, Used TiO 2  to nano particles to capture solar energy, TiO 2  is by far the the best to capture Solar Energy 
 Conclusion  - DSSCs will be more successful than any solar cell technology currently on the market

Efficiency in capturing solar energy is the most important factor in determining a solar cell technology’s profit potential...... This cannot be a weakener. As for assumption, we can consider this. But it is covering only the efficiency in capturing solar energy. What if the production cost of DSSCs, although less, is still more than that of its competitor. What if the retail price is more? and many other factors. This is a weak choice. Lets hold on to it.

Future research is likely to focus on finding new uses for solar cell technology...... This statement is a strengthener. But the success of the of the DSSCs is reliable on the solar cell technologies currently in the market and not the future. This can neither be an assumption nor a weakener.

Other renewable energy sources, such as windmills, are not likely to be as successful, in the long-term, as solar cells...... We are concerned only with solar cell technology and not other energy sources.

Future research is unlikely to uncover other nanoparticles that are as efficient as titanium dioxide..... This is again a strengthener. We are concerned with current market availability.
 
Other types of solar cell currently on the market cannot take advantage of similarly less expensive production methods and efficient nanoparticles......  ASSUMPTION REQUIRED . If the current Solar cells cannot take benefit of low production methods and efficient nanoparticles. They cannot result in an efficient technology. As we know that TiO 2  is currently the best to capture solar energy. This choice is capturing both the aspects of the premise.
On negating this we get " Other types of solar cell currently on the market can take advantage of similarly less expensive production methods and efficient nanoparticles. " Our conclusion falls apart.
 
Other types of solar cells are more robust than DSSCs and can last more than twice as long when deployed in the field.....  POSSIBLE FACT TO WEAKEN .
Lets assume that the durability of DSSCs is only 50 days, and provides 10KW energy, production cost of 100, Retail price of 500. (profit = 400%)
There is another solar cell, with - other nanoparticles (of efficiency 70%), Durability of 100 days, and production cost of 110, and Retail price of 600. (profit=445%)

Price per unit for customers when they purchase:
DSSC = 500/10 = 50
Another technology = 600/14 = 42.85.

So customers will be inclined to purchase another solar sell tech.
Also none of our premises is getting contradicted.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

This is CR type medium difficult level question, OA is:

Assumption required:  Other types of solar cell currently on the market cannot take advantage of similarly less expensive production methods and efficient nanoparticles.
 Possible fact to weaken:  Other types of solar cells are more robust than DSSCs and can last more than twice as long when deployed in the field.

rocky620  Excellent

Official explanation will be posted shortly.

This was the last question of the competition, Thank you everyone who participated. Final points table will be updated soon. The winners will also be announced today. Follow the main IR butler 2021 thread for more information or notices.

Regards

bumpbot · Answer

Automated notice from GMAT Club BumpBot: 

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

 This post was generated automatically.

A new type of solar cell, DSSC, is creating significant interest in

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

Assumption required	Possible fact to weaken
		Efficiency in capturing solar energy is the most important factor in determining a solar cell technology’s profit potential.
		Future research is likely to focus on finding new uses for solar cell technology.
		Other renewable energy sources, such as windmills, are not likely to be as successful, in the long-term, as solar cells.
		Future research is unlikely to uncover other nanoparticles that are as efficient as titanium dioxide.
		Other types of solar cell currently on the market cannot take advantage of similarly less expensive production methods and efficient nanoparticles.
		Other types of solar cells are more robust than DSSCs and can last more than twice as long when deployed in the field.

GMAT Two-part Analysis (TPA) Questions

A new type of solar cell, DSSC, is creating significant interest in

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards