20. Two carpenters are preparing to plumb a corner post. Carpenter A says that a transit level or a laser level can be used to plumb the post. Carpenter B says that a 6-foot level can be used to plumb the post. Which of the following statements is correct?

A. Only Carpenter B is correct.
B. Neither carpenter is correct.
C. Both carpenters are correct.
D. Only Carpenter A is correct.

C. Both carpenters are correct.

To determine which carpenter is correct, let's evaluate the statements:

Carpenter A states that a transit level or a laser level can be used to plumb the post.

Plumbing refers to ensuring that something is perfectly vertical or perpendicular. Both transit levels and laser levels are precise tools used by carpenters to establish accurate vertical or horizontal lines. Therefore, Carpenter A is correct.

Carpenter B states that a 6-foot level can be used to plumb the post.

A 6-foot level is a simple carpentry tool used for checking the levelness of surfaces, but it might not provide the same accuracy as a transit level or a laser level when it comes to plumbness. Therefore, Carpenter B's statement is not entirely accurate.

Based on the analysis above, the correct statement is:

D. Only Carpenter A is correct.

To determine which carpenter is correct, we need to understand the different tools mentioned and how they can be used to plumb a post.

1. Transit Level: A transit level is a surveying instrument used to measure both horizontal and vertical angles. It typically consists of a telescope mounted on a tripod and is commonly used in construction to level and align various structures. A transit level can indeed be used to plumb a post by setting it up near the post and adjusting its vertical axis until it is perfectly plumb.

2. Laser Level: A laser level is a device that emits a visible or invisible laser beam as a reference point. It is used to create an accurate horizontal or vertical line over a long distance. While a laser level is primarily used for leveling purposes, it can also be utilized for plumbing posts by projecting a vertical laser line alongside the post and adjusting the post until it aligns with the laser.

3. 6-foot Level: A 6-foot level, also known as a spirit level or bubble level, is a tool used to determine if a surface is horizontally or vertically level by using a bubble within a spirit tube. While a 6-foot level can help ensure the post is level horizontally (i.e., perpendicular to the ground), it is not the ideal tool for plumbing a post vertically (i.e., ensuring it is perfectly straight upward).

Considering the above information, we can conclude that **only Carpenter A is correct**. Carpenter A correctly suggests that either a transit level or a laser level can be used to plumb the post, while Carpenter B's suggestion of using a 6-foot level is not appropriate for plumbing a vertical post.