Question

which element is most likely to bend without breaking?
○ carbon (c)
○ iodine (i)
○ silicon (si)
○ cobalt (co)

Explanation:

To determine which element bends without breaking, we analyze their states and properties:

• Carbon (C) in forms like graphite is brittle, but diamond is hard/ brittle.
• Iodine (I) is a non - metal, solid at room temp, and brittle.
• Silicon (Si) is a metalloid, brittle in solid form.
• Cobalt (Co) is a metal. Metals are malleable (can be hammered/bent into shapes) and ductile (can be drawn into wires) due to metallic bonding, allowing layers of atoms to slide without breaking the structure. So cobalt, being a metal, is most likely to bend without breaking.

Answer:

D. cobalt (Co)