What characterizes a linear elastic material?

A linear elastic material is characterized by the principle that stress is proportional to strain, which is a fundamental aspect of Hooke's Law. This principle states that, within the elastic limit of a material, the amount of deformation (strain) that occurs in response to an applied load (stress) is directly proportional to the magnitude of that load. This relationship indicates that the material will return to its original shape and size once the load is removed, as long as the loading does not exceed the material's elastic limit.

This behavior can be graphically represented by a straight line in a stress-strain curve, where the slope of the line represents the material's elastic modulus, a measure of its stiffness. As the stress increases, the strain will increase linearly until the material reaches its yield point.

In contrast, other options highlight characteristics that do not apply to linear elastic materials. For example, large strains resulting in small stress describe nonlinear or plastic behavior, while suggesting that a material does not follow Hooke's Law contradicts the defining characteristic of linear elasticity. Behaving elastically only under high stress implies limitations that do not align with the definition of linear elasticity; linear elastic materials maintain their proportional relationship between stress and strain regardless of stress being high or low,