Which property of metals allows them to be shaped into wires and sheets?

The ability of metals to be shaped into wires and sheets is primarily due to their malleability. Malleability refers to the physical property of a material that allows it to deform under compressive stress, which is typically exhibited when metal is hammered or pressed into thin sheets without breaking.

In metals, the atomic structure provides a close-packed arrangement of atoms, which allows layers of atoms to slide over one another relatively easily when force is applied. This capability means that metals can be stretched into wires or rolled into sheets without losing their integrity or breaking. Malleability is essential in various applications, including electrical and structural components, where metal shapes are required.

While conductivity, durability, and reactivity play important roles in the overall characteristics of metals, they do not directly describe the transformation of metals into shapes like wires and sheets as effectively as malleability does.