Question

Which of the following materials is typically brittle?

• A. Metals
• B. Polymers
• C. Ceramics
• D. Composites

Hint:

If a material shatters like glass under stress, it's brittle. That’s a signature property of ceramics — hard, strong, but break easily!

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Brittleness is a property of materials that break or shatter easily when subjected to stress, without undergoing significant plastic deformation.
Why Ceramics Are Brittle:

• Ceramics are made of ionic and/or covalent bonds which are strong but directional and rigid.
• When stress is applied, these bonds do not allow layers of atoms to slip past one another (as in metals), leading to sudden fracture.
• Examples: Glass, porcelain, and bricks — all of which break rather than bend when force is applied.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

• (A) Metals: Generally ductile; they undergo plastic deformation and can bend or stretch before breaking.
• (B) Polymers: Usually flexible and capable of absorbing energy by deforming; not brittle in general (though some hard plastics may be).
• (D) Composites: These are engineered for specific properties; many composites are designed to combine strength and flexibility, so brittleness is not a general characteristic.

Therefore, the correct answer is ceramics, which are inherently brittle due to their atomic structure and bonding nature.