National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) Practice Exam

What type of stress is applied by crushing pressure that pushes a material together?

1. Tensile Stress

2. Shear Stress

3. Bending Stress

4. Compressive Stress

The correct answer is: Compressive Stress

Compressive stress is the correct answer as it refers to the type of stress that is experienced when a material is subjected to a crushing force that pushes its particles closer together. This type of stress occurs when forces are applied in a manner that tends to reduce the volume of the material being compressed. In the context of mechanical stress, compressive stress is critical in structural engineering and material science, as it determines how materials withstand load and forces. When a material is compressed, it will deform and potentially fail if the load exceeds its compressive strength. This is particularly important in applications ranging from construction to manufacturing, where understanding how materials react under compressive forces ensures safety and integrity. Tensile stress, on the other hand, is the opposite; it refers to stress that occurs when forces are applied to stretch or elongate a material. Shear stress arises from forces that cause layers of material to slide past each other, often seen when forces are applied parallel to a surface. Bending stress occurs when a material is subjected to a load that causes it to bend or curve, distributing stress across different areas. Each of these stresses has distinct effects and implications for material performance, but in this case, the characteristic of compressive stress clearly defines the action of crushing