Final answer:
Option 2) attribute sampling is correct.The QC team inspecting the components to see if they power on is using attribute sampling, which is a method of quality control assessing binary attributes of products.
Step-by-step explanation:
When your Quality Control (QC) team is inspecting the XJ9000 components to ensure they each power-on, they are performing an example of attribute sampling. Attribute sampling is the process of assessing whether a product meets specified criteria in a pass/fail manner, such as checking if a component powers on or not. It contrasts with variable sampling, which involves measurements on a continuous scale and could include detailed measurements of component characteristics, like size or weight.
Ensuring each component can power-on is a critical aspect of quality control, relying on direct observation of the product to verify a specific, binary attribute (works/does not work), rather than measuring a product characteristic. This approach is often used because it is a simplistic and quick method of quality assurance that can be applied to large quantities of products in a production run.
Prototyping, testing, and refinement are important in the product development cycle. However, after these stages, once the product enters the production phase, attribute sampling becomes a practical approach to ensure the final products meet the necessary operational criteria laid out during the design phase.