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Which tool would you use to measure the diameter of a wire?

  1. Scale

  2. Micrometer

  3. Ruler

  4. Protractor

The correct answer is: Micrometer

Using a micrometer is the best choice for measuring the diameter of a wire because it is specifically designed to provide precise measurements of small dimensions. The micrometer features a calibrated screw mechanism that allows for measurements to be taken with high accuracy, often up to the thousandths of an inch or hundredths of a millimeter. In contrast, while a scale is useful for measuring larger dimensions and a ruler can give approximate measurements, neither of these tools offers the precision required for small-scale measurements like a wire’s diameter. A protractor is intended for measuring angles, making it unsuitable for measuring linear dimensions like diameter. Therefore, the micrometer stands out as the optimal choice for this specific task.