Final answer:
The elastic force is the type of force that causes a squashed or stretched object to return to its original shape after the force is removed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of force that causes a squashed or stretched object to return to its original shape is the elastic force. When a force causes a change in the shape of an object, this is known as a deformation. In physics, we understand that for small deformations, objects undergo elastic deformation, meaning they return to their original shape after the force is removed. According to Hooke's law, for small deformations, the force (F) required to deform an object is proportional to the deformation (ΔL), with a proportionality constant (K), which is specific to the material's properties, represented by the equation F = KΔL.