What is a ratchet?

• A. A High Torque Wrench With Two Closed Ends.
• B. A Wrench With One Open And One Closed End.
• C. A Wrench With Ratchet Movement, Used With A Socket.
• D. A Tool Used To Tighten Or Loosen Allen Screws.

Answer: (C)

A ratchet is the part of a socket wrench that lets you turn a fastener in tight spaces without lifting the tool after each turn. It uses a drive, a ratcheting mechanism, and a socket. The ratchet engages the fastener when you move the handle in the tightening or loosening direction, then allows the handle to be moved back without turning the fastener because a pawl slips over the gear teeth. This lets you make many small, back-and-forth motions to tighten or loosen a bolt without repositioning the wrench each time. Sockets fit onto the drive, so you can switch sizes while keeping the ratcheting action. The other options describe tools that don’t have this back-and-forth ratcheting action or are used for different fasteners, so the ratchet wrench with a socket is the correct choice.