A woodcutter strikes a iron wedge into a tree trunk using a hammer. How does the wedge help in splitting the…

A woodcutter strikes a iron wedge into a tree trunk using a hammer. How does the wedge help in splitting the trunk?
  1. It converts horizontal force into vertical lifting force.
  2. It changes a single downward force into two sideways forces that push the wood fibers apart.
  3. It reduces the total mass of the tree log.
  4. It turns rotational motion into linear motion.

Solution

A wedge consists of two inclined planes placed back-to-back, converting a single forward force into strong perpendicular splitting forces.

Asked in: Homi Bhabha Practice

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