Which mechanical property allows certain metals, such as copper, to be easily shaped without breaking?

The mechanical property that allows certain metals, including copper, to be easily shaped without breaking is high ductility. Ductility refers to the ability of a material to undergo significant plastic deformation before rupture or fracture. This property enables metals to be drawn into wires, rolled into sheets, or otherwise shaped through processes like forging and stamping without losing their structural integrity.

Copper is known for its excellent ductility, allowing it to deform extensively under tensile stress. This characteristic is crucial in applications where metals must be shaped into complex forms. The more ductile a material is, the less likely it is to crack or break during deformation, making it ideal for various manufacturing processes that require shaping.

On the other hand, high hardness indicates strong resistance to deformation but does not necessarily correlate with the ability to be easily shaped. Low tensile strength, while sometimes associated with easier deformation, often suggests a lack of structural integrity and could lead to fracture under stress. High brittleness, in contrast, means that a material will break or shatter quickly when subjected to stress, making it unsuitable for shaping. Therefore, high ductility is the key property that enables metals like copper to be shaped easily without breaking.