Final answer:
The physical property of aluminum that allows it to be pounded into a sheet is malleability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The physical property of aluminum that allows it to be pounded into a sheet is malleability. Malleability is the ability of a material to be deformed under compression without cracking or breaking, allowing it to be shaped into thin sheets or other forms.
For example, when a hammer is used to pound aluminum, it undergoes plastic deformation, meaning that its atoms shift and realign themselves without breaking the bonds holding them together. This property is what makes aluminum a commonly used metal in applications such as packaging, construction, and aerospace industries.
In contrast, ductility refers to the ability of a material to be drawn into thin wires. While aluminum is also ductile, the question specifically asked about the physical property related to pounding it into a sheet, which is malleability.