Final answer:
Brittle materials break before they bend due to their lack of ability to undergo plastic deformation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of material that breaks before it bends is brittle material.
Brittle materials, such as glass or ceramics, do not exhibit plastic deformation and have low tolerance for stress. When a brittle material is subjected to stress, it fractures or breaks instead of bending. On the other hand, ductile materials, like metals, can undergo plastic deformation before they reach their breaking point.
In summary, brittle materials break before they bend due to their lack of ability to undergo plastic deformation.