Flexible materials are those that can bend, twist, or stretch easily without breaking. Think of a rubber band or a piece of cloth. They can change their shape when you apply a force and return to their original shape (or close to it) when you remove the force.
Rigid materials, on the other hand, are stiff and do not bend or change shape easily. They resist deformation. Examples include a wooden ruler or a metal pipe. Applying force to a rigid material might cause it to break rather than bend.
| Feature | Flexible Materials | Rigid Materials |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Materials that bend or deform easily. | Materials that resist bending or deformation. |
| Deformation | Easily deformed under stress. | Difficult to deform; may break under stress. |
| Examples | Rubber bands, cloth, paper, thin plastics. | Wood, metal, glass, hard plastics. |
| Return to Original Shape | Often returns to its original shape after bending. | Does not return to its original shape after bending; may break. |
| Applications | Clothing, packaging, shock absorption. | Construction, tools, structural support. |
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