Canadian Council of Independent Laboratories (CCIL) Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The minimum thickness of the bearing face should be equal to the difference between the sphere and cylinder radius when the radius of the sphere is less than that of the cylinder. This is significant because the bearing face must adequately support the load and accommodate the geometry of both the sphere and the cylinder.

If the radius of the sphere is less than that of the cylinder, the bearing face needs to be thick enough to maintain structural integrity and provide stable contact. By choosing a thickness that reflects the difference between the two radii, you ensure that there is sufficient material to support the load without compromising the performance or safety of the assembly.

Other options may imply incorrect thicknesses that either do not account for the necessary structural support (like being simply equal to one of the radii) or suggest unlimited thickness, which wouldn't necessarily satisfy the design requirements. Thus, selecting the minimum thickness as the difference between the two radii provides an appropriate balance of strength, stability, and functionality in the design.