A dent in wood is a compression of which material?

A dent in wood represents a compression of wood fibers. Wood is composed of a network of fibers, which are responsible for its structural integrity and strength. When an object strikes or presses against the surface of the wood, these fibers can get compressed, leading to a visible dent.

This physical alteration occurs because the fibers, which are essentially long, elongated cells, are pushed closer together or even deformed under pressure. Unlike wood dust, which consists of particles created from sanding or cutting and does not contribute to the structural characteristics of solid wood, or wood grain, which refers to the pattern and texture resulting from the arrangement of these fibers, the actual dent is a result of the deformation of the fibers themselves. Wood glue is an adhesive used to join pieces of wood but does not inherently contribute to the wood’s structural response to impacts. Thus, the interaction involved in forming a dent is directly related to the compression of wood fibers.