Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a tough material?

A tough material is characterized primarily by its ability to absorb energy and withstand impacts. This means that tough materials are capable of deforming under stress without breaking, indicating flexibility and resilience. The resistance to breaking when subjected to forces is essential for materials that need to endure dynamic loads or shock.

The ability to deform without breaking is crucial for toughness because it illustrates how materials can handle significant stresses while maintaining structural integrity. Similarly, high tensile strength indicates that a material can resist being pulled apart, which is another desirable quality in tough materials.

In contrast, a material that has the ability to break easily when stressed would contradict the definition of toughness. Tough materials are expected to endure and absorb energy; if they fracture easily, they would not meet the requirements for toughness. Therefore, the correct answer highlights a property that is fundamentally at odds with what defines a tough material.