What is the most malleable and ductile metal known?

Gold is known to be the most malleable and ductile metal. Malleability refers to the ability of a material to be deformed under compressive stress, allowing it to be hammered or rolled into thin sheets without breaking. Ductility refers to the ability of a material to stretch into a wire. Gold's remarkable properties allow it to be drawn into extremely thin wires or hammered into very thin sheets, often referred to as "gold leaf."

This incredible malleability and ductility result from gold's relatively face-centered cubic crystal structure, which permits significant movement of atoms without fracturing. Even a small piece of gold can be beaten into a sheet that is only a few micrometers thick, demonstrating its ability to be shaped considerably.

While silver, copper, and aluminum also exhibit good malleability and ductility, they do not surpass gold's ability in this regard. Gold's combination of these features, along with its resistance to tarnishing and corrosion, has made it a valuable material for a wide range of applications in jewelry, electronics, and more.