Which of the following cannot be beaten into thin sheets?

Options

A. Zinc
B. Phosphorus
C. Copper
D. Iron

Explanation

To determine which of the following cannot be beaten into thin sheets, we need to understand the concept of malleability. Malleability is the property of a material that allows it to be hammered or pressed into thin sheets without breaking.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Property of Malleability**:
- Malleability is a characteristic property of metals. It allows metals to be shaped into thin sheets when subjected to mechanical force, such as hammering.

2. **List the Options**:
- Consider the materials given in the question. For example, if the options are Zinc, Phosphorus, Copper, and Iron, we need to analyze each one based on their classification as metals or non-metals.

3. **Classify Each Material**:
- **Zinc**: This is a metal and is malleable. It can be beaten into thin sheets.
- **Phosphorus**: This is a non-metal and is not malleable. It cannot be beaten into thin sheets.
- **Copper**: This is a metal and is malleable. It can be beaten into thin sheets.
- **Iron**: This is also a metal and is malleable. It can be beaten into thin sheets.

4. **Determine the Answer**:
- Since phosphorus is the only non-metal in the list, it cannot be beaten into thin sheets. Therefore, the answer to the question is phosphorus.

### Final Answer:
Phosphorus cannot be beaten into thin sheets.

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