Which property describes a metal's ability to be drawn into wires?

Ductility is the property that describes a metal's ability to be drawn into wires. This characteristic allows metals to undergo significant deformation without breaking when subjected to tensile stress. Ductility is particularly important in applications involving wiring because it ensures that the metal can be stretched thin without losing its integrity.

In contrast, malleability refers to a metal's ability to be shaped or formed under compressive stress, allowing it to be hammered or rolled into thin sheets. Elasticity is the ability of a material to return to its original shape after the removal of an applied force, which is a different property altogether and does not apply to wire formation. Strength indicates the capacity of a material to withstand an applied force without failing, but does not specifically refer to the ability to be drawn into wires. Therefore, ductility distinctly identifies the quality needed for a metal to be manufactured into wire form.