Final answer:
The associated deformation when a material breaks is characterized as brittle if the material fractures with minimal prior deformation, and as ductile if the material experiences significant plastic deformation before breaking.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a material breaks, the associated deformation is typically characterized as brittle if the failure occurs with little to no plastic deformation. Brittle deformation means that the material fractures after minimal permanent shaping or distortion. On the other hand, ductile deformation refers to the material experiencing significant plastic deformation before breaking. Ductile materials can stretch or bend more than brittle materials before they reach the point of failure.
Based on this information, if a material breaks with minimal prior deformation, it is A. Brittle. However, should the material deform plastically before breaking, then it is B. Ductile. Materials like ceramics or glass are known for brittle breakage, while metals often exhibit ductile behavior before failure. The tensile strength is a measure of the breaking stress that will cause permanent deformation or fracture of a material.