What property defines malleability?

Malleability is specifically defined as the ability of a material, usually metals, to be deformed under compressive stress. This property allows metals to be hammered or rolled into thin sheets without breaking. When a malleable substance is subjected to mechanical force, it can change shape while maintaining its integrity, making it possible to create various forms or shapes such as plates or foils.

This characteristic is important in many industrial applications, where materials need to be shaped into specific forms for construction, manufacturing, or artistic purposes. For instance, gold and aluminum are known for their exceptional malleability, allowing them to be formed into intricate designs or items.

While other options refer to different physical properties—such as the ability to conduct heat, which pertains to thermal conductivity; the ability to lose electrons, which relates to reactivity and ionization; and the ability to be pulled into wires, known as ductility—none of these descriptions accurately capture the essence of malleability, which focuses specifically on the ability to be molded or shaped.