Question

Explain the meaning of malleability and ductility.

Answer 1

An attempt to this question can be made by understanding what type of element the property malleability and ductility is defined. Determine the properties of these elements. Based on that you can define the meaning of malleability and ductility in accordance to these elements.

Complete step by step answer:
The properties malleability and ductility are commonly observed in the class of elements called metals. We will now try to understand what metals are.
A metal is any material that, when freshly prepared, polished or fractured exhibits lustrous appearance. Along with that metals are often observed to be good conductors of heat and electricity.
In terms of physics, a metal is any substance that has the capacity to conduct electricity at a temperature of absolute zero.
We will now try to determine the meaning of malleability.
Malleability is a property of a substance or material by which it can be beaten to form its thin sheets. Although the property is applicable to all elements, we usually define malleability for metals. This is because most metals exhibit this property.
Now let us try to understand the property, ductility.
Ductility is a property of a substance or material by which it can be drawn into wires. Although the property is applicable to all elements, we usually define ductility for metals. This is because most metals exhibit this property.

Note: It is important to know that although malleability and ductility defined for metals, not all metals exhibit the properties. Zinc, arsenic, mercury and antimony are few examples of metals which are neither ductile or malleable.