Ductility is defined as the ability of a metal to do which of the following?

Ductility refers to the ability of a metal to deform under tensile stress, which often manifests as the capacity to be stretched into a wire or bent without breaking. When a metal is ductile, it can undergo significant deformation before failure, which allows it to bend and change shape while absorbing energy. This property is crucial in various applications where metals need to accommodate changes in form or load without fracturing, such as in construction and manufacturing processes.

The option that states "bend without breaking" accurately encapsulates this definition, highlighting the metal's ability to undergo plastic deformation through bending rather than fracturing. Ductile materials are essential in designs that require flexibility while still maintaining structural integrity under varying conditions.