Question

If the material has the tendency to fracture without any appreciable deformation is known as

• A. Stiffness
• B. Brittleness
• C. Toughness
• D. Malleability

Hint:

Think of the contrast between a piece of chalk and a copper wire. If you bend the copper wire, it deforms significantly before breaking (ductile/malleable). If you try to bend the chalk, it snaps instantly with zero visible deformation. That sudden snap defines Brittleness.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The question requires identifying the material property described by the tendency to fracture without significant deformation. Let's evaluate each option:

• Stiffness: This property describes a material's resistance to deformation. It reflects how much a material can resist being changed in shape when a force is applied. Stiffness does not relate to the tendency to fracture.
• Brittleness: This is the correct answer. Brittleness is the property of a material that causes it to fracture or break without appreciable deformation when subjected to stress. Brittle materials, such as glass and cast iron, break suddenly without significant plastic deformation.
• Toughness: This is a measure of how much energy a material can absorb before fracturing. Tough materials can undergo considerable deformation before breaking. High toughness indicates the opposite behavior to brittleness.
• Malleability: This property refers to a material's ability to deform under compressive stress, usually by hammering or rolling. Highly malleable materials do not fracture easily and undergo significant deformation.

Thus, the correct choice is Brittleness, as it specifically refers to the property of breaking without significant deformation.