Which statement best describes reverse extension?

Which statement best describes reverse extension?

• A. It lengthens the lever arm, increasing torque at the fastener for a given TW.
• B. It reduces the effective lever arm, requiring a higher TW to reach the same TA.
• C. It has no effect on the torque at the fastener.
• D. It makes the torque wrench impossible to calibrate.

Answer: (B)

Reverse extension changes the lever arm between your hand and the fastener. Torque at the fastener is the product of the force you apply and that lever-arm length. Placing the extension on the opposite side shortens the lever arm, so the same applied force yields less torque at the fastener. To achieve the same torque at the fastener (TA), you must set the torque wrench to a higher value (TW). The other statements contradict how lever arms work: extending the lever arm would increase torque for the same force, there is a real effect on the torque at the fastener, and calibration isn’t inherently impossible—you just adjust for the changed lever arm.

Reverse extension changes the lever arm between your hand and the fastener. Torque at the fastener is the product of the force you apply and that lever-arm length. Placing the extension on the opposite side shortens the lever arm, so the same applied force yields less torque at the fastener. To achieve the same torque at the fastener (TA), you must set the torque wrench to a higher value (TW). The other statements contradict how lever arms work: extending the lever arm would increase torque for the same force, there is a real effect on the torque at the fastener, and calibration isn’t inherently impossible—you just adjust for the changed lever arm.