Which of the following ingredients of the brick earth enables the brick to retain its shape?

Solution (By Examveda Team)

Alumina is responsible for the plasticity of brick earth.

This plasticity allows the brick to be moulded into shape and retain that shape during the manufacturing process.

Without sufficient alumina, the brick earth would not be workable and would not hold its form properly.

Silica provides strength, iron oxide gives colour and hardness, and magnesia reduces shrinkage, but none of these help in retaining shape during moulding.

Therefore, alumina is the ingredient that enables the brick to retain its shape.