The ability of any solid material to resist stress is a measure of the material's what?

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

Answer: (A)

Elasticity is the measure of how a material responds to stress by deforming only reversibly and returning to its original shape when the load is removed. This captures the idea of resisting stress without permanent change. If a material is within its elastic limit, it will stretch or compress under the applied force but spring back afterward.

Plasticity would involve permanent deformation, which is not about resisting stress in a reversible way. Ductility describes how much plastic deformation a material can undergo before breaking, and toughness relates to the energy a material can absorb before fracturing. So elasticity best fits the concept of resisting stress in a reversible, recoverable manner.