Final answer:
The statement about side cutting pliers is true; they grip and manipulate small objects and wires. The IMA for wire cutters can be calculated by the ratio of distances from the pivot. High-voltage wires are not insulated, as the air provides insulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that side cutting pliers are used to grip small objects and to cut or bend wire, cable, or nails is true. These tools are designed for holding, cutting, and manipulating various types of wire and small metal objects. The overall IMA (Ideal Mechanical Advantage) of a pair of wire cutters can be calculated using the distances from the pivot point to where the force is applied and to where the force is exerted. For example, if the handles are gripped 10 cm from the pivot and the wire is held 2 cm from the pivot, the IMA would be the ratio of these distances, which is 10 cm/2 cm, resulting in an IMA of 5.
Regarding the old carpenter’s trick, gripping the center of the nail with pliers helps prevent bending because it provides additional support. The pressure from the pliers stabilizes the nail, reducing the chance that it will buckle under the force of the hammer. As for the high-voltage wires, the statement is false. Although high-voltage wires are connected to metal towers with insulating connectors, the wires themselves are not wrapped in an insulating material because the air around the wires acts as an insulator.