ANS:B - stronger in compression than in tension.

The statement "ceramic materials are stronger in compression than in tension" reflects a common mechanical property of ceramics. When subjected to mechanical loads, ceramics tend to exhibit higher strength and resistance to failure under compressive stresses compared to tensile stresses. This behavior arises from the inherent structure and bonding characteristics of ceramic materials. Ceramics typically have strong ionic or covalent bonds between atoms or ions, which provide high resistance to compression. However, these bonds are relatively weak against tensile forces, making ceramics more susceptible to failure when pulled apart. Furthermore, the microstructure of ceramics often contains flaws, such as pores or grain boundaries, which can act as stress concentrators. Under tensile loading, these flaws can initiate cracks and propagate, leading to brittle fracture. In compression, however, these flaws are more likely to close or be compressed, reducing their impact on material failure. Overall, the tendency for ceramics to be stronger in compression than in tension is an important consideration in engineering design, particularly when selecting materials for applications subjected to mechanical loading.