A rung on a ladder is the component that transfers the climber's weight to the beams.

• A. Lends balance
• B. Transfers the climber's weight to the beams
• C. Anchors to the wall
• D. Is used to tie off gear

Answer: (B)

A rung’s main job is to bear the load of your weight and pass it into the ladder’s structural path. When you step on a rung, your weight compresses the rung and forces it into the side rails. Those rails act like the beams of the ladder, carrying that load down to the base or to any other supports. In short, the rung is the stepping surface that transfers your weight into the beams, keeping the ladder stable. While rungs also help you balance as you stand, their primary function is to transfer weight to the rails; anchors or gear-tie points are not the rung’s purpose.