True or False: A cat's paw hitch provides mechanical advantage when tightening.

The statement that a cat's paw hitch provides mechanical advantage when tightening is false. A cat's paw hitch is primarily used to connect a load to a lifting device, and its design creates a secure loop that tightens around the load as weight is applied. However, it does not actually provide mechanical advantage in the way that pulley systems or block and tackle arrangements do.

Mechanical advantage refers to the ability to lift or move a heavier load with less input force, which typically involves a more complex system that redistributes force through mechanical systems like pulleys. In contrast, the cat's paw hitch acts more as a secure fastening method rather than a lifting mechanism that alters force distribution.

Therefore, the correct understanding is that while a cat's paw hitch is effective for securing loads, it does not function to provide mechanical advantage during the tightening process.