Final answer:
The jack stand locks when the cam slides into the toothed section as the cup moves down, ensuring the stand's height is securely maintained.
Step-by-step explanation:
What causes jack stand to lock is a mechanism that engages when the cup moves down. Specifically, the correct answer is A. The cam slides into the toothed section, locking the cup. This cam is usually located on a lever that, when the stand is raised, moves out of the way to allow the cup to rise. As the cup moves down, the lever releases, allowing the cam to slide into place in the toothed section due to the action of a spring or weight, preventing the cup from moving down any further and thus locking the jack stand securely.