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CrazySheepherder1339 t1_j9am3mx wrote

Reply to comment by picklesTommyPickles in When something is bent (a metal ruler for example) and returns to its original shape, what is happening on the molecular level? Where is the information of the original shape stored and what forces do the unbending? by JewNugget2525

Yes! Metal is ductile and malleable, so it can last a little longer than things that are more brittle, like a pen clip.

Suppose there are 5 bonds. when bend a metal clip, maybe 1 breaks, 2 reconnect to different pairs, and 2 stay the same.

In the example the "_" means a bond is broken

So if the connection is aa,bb,cc,dd,ee

it becomes a_,bc,cb,dd,ee. Notice how atom b and c switched their bonds. And the second time A_ , b_, c_, dc,ee

But with plastic it would be Aa,bb,cc,dd,ee then just break without switching A_,b_c_,dd,ee Then the second time, it breaks

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