Final answer:
The property of a metal that allows it to withstand forces, sudden shocks, or bends without fracturing is known as toughness. Metals are able to deform without breaking due to the mobility of free electrons that act like a cushion between cations, providing malleability and ductility in addition to toughness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The property of a metal that enables it to withstand forces, sudden shock or bends without fracturing is called toughness. This is not to be confused with brittleness, which is the tendency to fracture or crack upon impact and is the opposite of toughness. Ductility is a related but distinct property, referring to a material's ability to deform under tensile stress, often demonstrated by the material's ability to be stretched into a wire. Strength, meanwhile, is a more general term that may refer to various types of resistance to deformation.
Metals are known for their ductility and malleability, both of which are types of mechanical strength. Due to the movement of free-flowing electrons between cations, they can undergo deformation without cracking—similar to the way oiled ball bearings slide past each other. This allows metals to be hammered, rolled, or pulled into various shapes without breaking, exhibiting high levels of toughness.