Which property describes a material's ability to return to its original shape after deformation?

The property that describes a material's ability to return to its original shape after deformation is elasticity. When a material is subjected to stress, such as stretching or compressing, it may deform temporarily. If the material is elastic, it will regain its original dimensions and shape once the stress is removed. This behavior is critical for many applications in product design, where flexibility and the ability to withstand forces without permanent changes are essential.

Durability refers to a material's ability to withstand wear, pressure, or damage over time, which does not specifically address the recovery of shape after deformation. Malleability describes how a material can be deformed or shaped under compressive stress, such as being hammer-forged into sheets, but it does not imply the ability to return to its original form. Tensile strength measures the maximum amount of tensile (pulling or stretching) stress that a material can withstand before failure, which also does not pertain to the ability to revert to an original shape after deformation. Understanding elasticity is crucial in selecting materials for products that require a balance of flexibility and strength.