Elasticity refers to which property of a material?

Elasticity is defined as the property of a material that enables it to return to its original shape and size after the applied stress or load is removed. This characteristic is crucial in materials such as rubber and certain polymers, where the ability to stretch and then revert to the initial form contributes to their functionality in various applications, such as in automotive parts or flexible components in technology.

Understanding this property is key in design technology, as it affects how materials can be used in different products. For instance, elastic materials might be chosen for applications requiring flexibility, shock absorption, or resilience.

The other options focus on different properties: the first describes plasticity, which is when materials deform permanently, while the third refers to thermal resistance and the fourth touches on a physical change under pressure, neither of which relates to the ability to return to an original shape after deformation.