How Sandpaper Smooths Wood

Written by Studio AM.

Sandpaper feels rough because hard grains cover its surface. Each grain acts like a tiny cutting edge. When the paper moves across wood, the grains shave off high spots and leave small scratches. Coarse paper has larger grains, so it removes material quickly.

Fine paper has smaller grains. It removes the deeper marks left by coarse paper and makes the surface feel smoother. A worker often begins coarse and changes to finer paper in steps. Dust can hide scratches, so wiping the wood helps reveal the result. As grains wear down or fill with dust, the sheet cuts less well and must be cleaned or replaced. Sandpaper does not press bumps flat. It slowly cuts them away until the surface is even.

Questions

Choose an answer. The explanation appears after you answer.

  1. Question 1 of 4

    What is the main idea of the passage?

  2. Question 2 of 4

    After using coarse paper, a worker still sees deep scratches. What should the worker try next?

  3. Question 3 of 4

    What does “coarse” mean in this passage?

  4. Question 4 of 4

    What action helps a worker see scratches hidden by dust?

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