What does it mean for a material to have high tensile strength?

A material with high tensile strength is characterized by its ability to resist being pulled apart under tension. This means that when a force is applied that attempts to stretch the material, it can withstand a significant amount of stress without breaking or deforming permanently. High tensile strength is a critical property in many engineering applications, particularly in structures and components that must endure heavy loads or forces.

In practical terms, materials with high tensile strength are often used in construction, aerospace, and automotive applications because they allow for lighter designs without sacrificing safety or integrity. The ability to maintain structural integrity under tension is crucial for ensuring the longevity and reliability of components such as beams, cables, and other structural elements that experience pulling forces.

The other options relate to different mechanical properties that do not specifically involve tensile strength. For instance, being unable to be compressed refers to compressive strength, twisting relates to torsion, and resistance to cutting refers to shear strength or hardness. However, these properties do not define the ability of a material to withstand tensile forces, which is the essence of high tensile strength.