What property does a material exhibit if it returns to its original shape after the load is removed?

The property that allows a material to return to its original shape after the load is removed is known as elasticity. When a material is elastic, it deforms under an applied load but returns to its original dimensions once that load is taken away. This behavior is typically described by Hooke's law, which states that the deformation (strain) of an elastic material is directly proportional to the applied load (stress) within the limits of proportionality.

In contrast, materials that exhibit plastic behavior would undergo permanent deformation and would not return to their original shape after the load is removed. High modulus of elasticity relates to the stiffness of a material but does not explicitly define the ability to return to the original shape after loading. Similarly, stating that a material does not follow Hooke's law implies that it behaves in a non-elastic manner, further distancing it from returning to its original shape. Therefore, the definition of elasticity is key to understanding the answer, which highlights that the correct choice clearly identifies the material's ability to restore its original shape upon unloading.