Chapter 3, Problem 43A

The head of a hammer is loose and you wish to tighten it by banging it against the top of a workbench. Why is it better to hold the hammer with the handle down, as shown below, rather than with the head down? Explain in terms of inertia.

To determine

To Explain: It is better to hold the hammer with the handle down rather than with the head down.

Answer to Problem 43A

Due to inertia, it is better to hold the hammer with the handle down rather than with the head down.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Inertia is the inability of the body to change its state of rest or uniform motion without any external force acting on the body. Mass is the quantity that depends upon the inertia of the body. So, the greater the mass of the object, the greater will be the inertia of the body.

This means that the inertia is greater. Hence, the resistance is higher to change the state of motion. So, even after the handle stops the banging it continues moving downward due to inertia of motion.

That is why the hammer is needed to tighten.

Hence, by banging it with head downwards, the head will keep moving downwards due to inertia and it will tighten itself. But, if the hammer is held with the handle down, the head being heavier will come off the top.

Conclusion:

Due to inertia, it is better to hold the hammer with the handle down rather than with the head down.