Compared with a lathe-cut alloy, condensing a SPHERICAL amalgam requires:

Correct answer: C. A larger condenser with less force

• A. Heavy force is unnecessary with spherical alloys and risks displacing the matrix band.
• B. Small condenser plus heavy force is the technique for LATHE-CUT and admixed alloys, whose irregular particles interlock and resist compaction.
• C. CORRECT. Spherical particles are round and roll past one another readily, so they need comparatively LITTLE condensation force. A SMALL condenser tip applied to a spherical mix simply punches straight through it rather than compacting it, so a LARGER condenser face is used to distribute the load across the mass.
• D. A small condenser is inappropriate for spherical alloys regardless of the force used.

Note: The trade-off: spherical alloys condense easily and set quickly but give comparatively poor proximal contacts. Admixed alloys are harder to condense but produce better contacts — which is why admix is generally preferred for Class II restorations.