Which property refers to the ability of a substance to be stretched without breaking?

Which property refers to the ability of a substance to be stretched without breaking?

• A. Ductility
• B. Malleability
• C. Elasticity
• D. Plasticity

Answer: (A)

The property that refers to the ability of a substance to be stretched without breaking is ductility. This characteristic is particularly important in metals, as it allows them to be drawn into wires or deformed under tensile stress without fracturing. Ductile materials can withstand significant deformation while still maintaining their structural integrity, making them excellent candidates for various applications, such as electrical wiring or structural components in buildings. While malleability also involves deformation, it specifically refers to the ability to be shaped or compressed under compressive stress, typically into sheets or thin films. Elasticity pertains to the ability of a material to return to its original shape after being deformed, which is different from ductility as it does not imply permanent deformation. Plasticity relates to the capacity of a substance to undergo permanent deformation without breaking, but again, it signifies a different quality compared to ductility, where the emphasis is placed on stretching specifically rather than permanent shaping.

The property that refers to the ability of a substance to be stretched without breaking is ductility. This characteristic is particularly important in metals, as it allows them to be drawn into wires or deformed under tensile stress without fracturing. Ductile materials can withstand significant deformation while still maintaining their structural integrity, making them excellent candidates for various applications, such as electrical wiring or structural components in buildings.

While malleability also involves deformation, it specifically refers to the ability to be shaped or compressed under compressive stress, typically into sheets or thin films. Elasticity pertains to the ability of a material to return to its original shape after being deformed, which is different from ductility as it does not imply permanent deformation. Plasticity relates to the capacity of a substance to undergo permanent deformation without breaking, but again, it signifies a different quality compared to ductility, where the emphasis is placed on stretching specifically rather than permanent shaping.