Malleability and ductility are characteristic properties of metals. These two terms describe how substances respond to stress and deformation.
Malleability refers to the ability of a material to deform under compressive stress, allowing it to be shaped into thin sheets without breaking. For example, gold is highly malleable and can be beaten into gold leaf.
Ductility, on the other hand, is the ability of a material to stretch or deform under tensile stress, enabling it to be drawn into wires. Copper is a great example, as it can be stretched into very thin wires without breaking.
Both properties stem from the atomic structure of metals, where layers of atoms can slide over each other without fracturing the metallic bond. This is why metals like aluminum, silver, and steel exhibit both malleability and ductility, making them versatile in various applications, from construction to electronics.