Strength is defined as what?

• A. The ability to conduct electricity
• B. The ability to withstand a force without breaking or bending
• C. The ability to stretch without breaking
• D. The ability to absorb water

Answer: (B)

Strength is a material’s ability to withstand an applied force without failing. It means resisting breaking or permanent deformation when a load is applied, such as in tension or compression. In practice we refer to different forms like tensile or compressive strength, depending on how the load acts. The other ideas describe electrical conductivity, how much a material can stretch, or how much water it can absorb—properties not about resisting failure under load.