Which of the following best describes malleability?

Malleability refers to the property of a material that allows it to be shaped or deformed under compressive stress without breaking. This typically means that a malleable substance can be hammered or rolled into thin sheets without losing its integrity. This property is particularly important for metals, which can be reshaped through processes like forging or rolling.

While the ability to be stretched into wires is related to ductility, which is another form of plastic deformation, it specifically pertains to tensile stress rather than compressive stress, which is what malleability focuses on. Similarly, the ability to return to original shape after deformation describes elasticity, not malleability, as elasticity refers to a material's capacity to revert to its former dimensions after an external force is removed. The ability to cut through other materials is not related to the definition of malleability but would describe the sharpness or efficacy of a cutting tool. Therefore, the most accurate description of malleability is the ability to be shaped without breaking.