Final answer:
The mechanical property that allows metal to return to its original shape after a load is removed is called elasticity. Elasticity is influenced by the metal's microscopic structure and is characterized by the material's elastic modulus and elastic limit. If the stress is below the elastic limit, the deformation will be elastic and the metal will revert to its original shape.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mechanical Property of Metal: Elasticity
The mechanical property of metal that allows it to return to its original shape after the load is removed is known as elasticity. Elastic behavior in materials is dependent on their microscopic structure, such as the crystalline lattices in metals that respond to external forces. The degree to which a material exhibits this elastic behavior is determined by factors such as elastic modulus and elastic limit. Materials with a high elastic modulus are hard to deform, while those with a low modulus are more pliable.
When a metal is subjected to stress, it initially deforms elastically. If this stress is within the elastic limit, the material will resume its original form once the load is removed. Beyond this limit, however, the material behaves plastically and will not fully recover its initial shape, leading to permanent deformation.
Understanding the elasticity of materials is crucial in engineering applications, where materials need to return to their original shape after being subjected to loads. Substances such as rubber and polymers exhibit elasticity differently compared to metals due to their unique molecular structures.