ABSTRACT
In ordinary elastic solids deformations are created by relative movement of the same atoms (or molecules) that form the bonded low-symmetry lattice. Hence, when the deformation is small, the lattice symmetry is preserved and one obtains an ordinary elastic response (although often anisotropic). There is a classical elastic response found in glasses as well (either isotropic or anisotropic), where in place of the crystalline lattice recording the preferred position of atoms they are confined by constraints of local cages. Either way, the elements of the body “know” their positions and the system responds with an increase of elastic energy when these elements are displaced; large deformations destroy the lattice (or cages) integrity and simply break the material.
