Science, Tech, Math › Science Elasticity: Definition and Examples What this term used in physics, engineering, and chemistry means Share Flipboard Email Print A rubber band stretches and returns to its original shape, displaying elasticity. Eric Raptosh Photography/Getty Images Science Chemistry Chemical Laws Basics Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Facebook Twitter Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on September 22, 2019 Elasticity is a physical property of a material whereby the material returns to its original shape after having been stretched out or altered by force. Substances that display a high degree of elasticity are termed "elastic." The SI unit applied to elasticity is the pascal (Pa), which is used to measure the modulus of deformation and elastic limit. The causes of elasticity vary depending on the type of material. Polymers, including rubber, may exhibit elasticity as polymer chains are stretched and then subsequently return to their original form when the force is removed. Metals may display elasticity as atomic lattices change shape and size, again, returning to their original form once energy is removed. Examples: Rubber bands and elastic and other stretchy materials display elasticity. Modeling clay, on the other hand, is relatively inelastic and retains a new shape even after the force that caused it to change is no longer being exerted. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Elasticity: Definition and Examples." ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/definition-of-elasticity-605060. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 26). Elasticity: Definition and Examples. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-elasticity-605060 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Elasticity: Definition and Examples." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-elasticity-605060 (accessed June 6, 2023). copy citation