Question

How do you put a screw into wood?

A. turn it clockwise
B. hammer it in
C. turn it counter-clockwise
D. push it in

Answer 1

To insert a screw into wood, turn it clockwise, which engages and tightens the threads of the screw with the wood, unlike turning it counterclockwise, hammering, or pushing.

Step-by-step explanation:

To put a screw into wood, you should turn it clockwise. This is because screws are designed with threads that tighten to the right, much like how a nut is tightened onto a bolt. If you turn a screw counter-clockwise, you will loosen it, which is not the goal when attempting to insert the screw into the wood. Similarly, just as you wouldn't fit a square peg into a round hole, you wouldn't hammer a screw in or push it in - these methods would not engage the threads of the screw with the wood.

Using a screwdriver to apply the turning motion provides the grip and mechanical advantage needed for the task, aligning with the concept that tools like wrenches are used to turn nuts clockwise to tighten in Figure 2.31 (a). While engaging with physical objects, understanding the correct direction of force is crucial, much like understanding the effects of adding putty at different points on a rotating circle to alter angular velocity and acceleration, as mentioned in the example about the circle and putty.