What property does the flexural modulus of elasticity measure?

The flexural modulus of elasticity is a critical property in material science that specifically measures the stiffness of a material when it is subjected to bending forces. When a load is applied to a material, the flexural modulus quantifies how much it will deflect or bend under that load, which directly correlates to the material's resistance to deformation. A higher flexural modulus indicates that the material is stiffer and will bend less when a force is applied, making it an important parameter for engineers and designers when selecting materials for applications that require rigidity and strength.

In contrast, while the ability to withstand rupture may be related to a material's overall strength, it does not specifically gauge stiffness. Water resistance and color variability do not pertain to the flexural properties of materials at all; they address completely different aspects of material characteristics and performance. Thus, the definition and application of flexural modulus clearly align it with measuring stiffness rather than any other properties.