What forces act on a solid object affects the spacing of atoms within the solid to a small extent. This change in spacing changes the external structure or shape and size of the solid, and it is termed as deformation of solids.

What happens when a solid is deformed?

The shape of an object is the geometrical description of the part of the space occupied by the object, as determined by its external boundaries. A change in shape due to the application of force is known as deformation. This may be squashing, twisting, ripping, or pulling apart the object. ...

What happens when a material is deformed?

When a sufficient load is applied to a metal or other structural material, it will cause the material to change shape. This change in shape is called deformation. A temporary shape change that is self-reversing after the force is removed, so that the object returns to its original shape, is called elastic deformation.