Which soldering term refers to applying a thin layer of soft solder to the ends of wires before joining?

• A. Tinning
• B. Wetting
• C. Flux Core
• D. Capacitance

Answer: (A)

Tinning is the process of coating the ends of wires with a thin layer of soft solder before joining. This creates a uniform, solderable surface that improves wetting when you heat the joint, helps prevent frayed strands, and speeds up the final soldering by providing a ready-to-flow surface. It’s typically done after cleaning the wire and applying flux, then heating and feeding solder until the tip is coated. The other terms don’t describe this action: wetting refers to how well molten solder spreads and adheres to surfaces, not the act of coating the wire beforehand; flux core describes the type of solder (flux inside) rather than the preparatory coating action; capacitance is an electrical property, unrelated to soldering.