If a material breaks down or crumbles easily, it is called _________.

If a material breaks down or crumbles easily, it is called _________.

• A. Brittle
• B. Friable
• C. Durable
• D. Elastic

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is how a material responds to handling when it’s fragile. Friable describes something that can be crumbled, crushed, or turned to powder with light touch or pressure. So, a material that breaks down or crumbles easily fits this term because its integrity falls apart into small pieces or dust rather than bending or staying intact. Brittle also involves fragility, but it refers to breaking with a sharp fracture under stress rather than crumbling on gentle contact. Durable means resistant to wear and last a long time, and elastic means it deforms and then returns to its original shape.

The idea being tested is how a material responds to handling when it’s fragile. Friable describes something that can be crumbled, crushed, or turned to powder with light touch or pressure. So, a material that breaks down or crumbles easily fits this term because its integrity falls apart into small pieces or dust rather than bending or staying intact.

Brittle also involves fragility, but it refers to breaking with a sharp fracture under stress rather than crumbling on gentle contact. Durable means resistant to wear and last a long time, and elastic means it deforms and then returns to its original shape.