Which of the following is the most ductile metal?

2024

Which of the following is the most ductile metal?

  1. A.

    Gold

  2. B.

    Copper

  3. C.

    Aluminium

  4. D.

    Silver

  5. E.

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Attempted by 207 students.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A

Concept: Ductility is the property of a metal that lets it be drawn out into thin wire under tensile stress without fracturing. It depends on how easily layers of metal atoms can slip past one another while the metallic bond keeps the structure intact — the easier this slip, the more ductile the metal.

Applying it here: Among the metals offered, gold has the atomic arrangement that allows the greatest amount of plastic deformation. A single gram of gold can be drawn into a wire about two kilometres long, which is why it ranks first in ductility.

Comparing the candidates by their drawability:

Metal

Ductility standing

Gold

Drawn into the longest, finest wire of any metal — highest ductility

Silver

Extremely ductile and easily wire-drawn, but a step below the maximum

Copper

Very ductile, used for electrical wire, yet lower than the top rank

Aluminium

Moderately ductile and light — the least drawable of these metals

Result: Gold is the most ductile metal among the options.

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