What is the purpose of a sectional view?

• A. To display only exterior shapes
• B. To show a cut through the object as if sliced by a cutting plane
• C. To show electrical wiring
• D. To present final finish material

Answer: (B)

A sectional view shows a cut through the object as if sliced by a cutting plane, revealing interior features that aren’t visible from the outside. This lets you see walls, cavities, channels, holes, and how parts fit together, giving a true sense of internal arrangement and clearances. It’s often shown with hatch marks to indicate the surfaces that have been cut. This view is especially helpful for understanding internal construction and how components interact, which is essential for fabrication, inspection, or safety considerations. It’s not about exterior shapes, electrical wiring, or finish materials, which are shown in other types of drawings.