Exploring the World of Physics

What does the term 'gauge' refer to in the context of metal sheets?

A. The weight of the metal per square foot

B. The thickness of the metal

C. The type of metal

D. The color of the metal

Answer:

B. The thickness of the metal

When discussing metal sheets, the term 'gauge' actually refers to the thickness of the metal rather than its weight per square foot. The gauge number for a particular type of metal indicates its thickness, and different materials may have different gauge numbers for the same thickness. It's important to note that as the gauge number decreases, the thickness of the metal sheet actually increases.