PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Matter is anything that has mass and volume
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Matter can be described based on Physical and Chemical Properties
Matter can be changed both physically and chemically
Mass: a measurement of the amount of matter in a substance
Volume: a measurement of the amount of space something takes up
Physical Properties: Can be observed or measured without changing the identity of the matter. Observed with the senses.
Chemical Properties: Describe a substance based on its ability to change into a new substance with different properties.
Chemical properties can be observed with the senses, but they are not as easy to observe as physical properties.
Physical Property
Definition
Example
Adhesion
The tendency of particles of different substances to
attract one another
Glue adheres to many substances; water
adheres to the sides of a graduated cylinder,
forming a meniscus”
Boiling/Condensing Temperature at which a liquid turns to gas AND
Temperature at which a gas turns to a liquid
Point
Brittleness
The tendency of a solid to break or shatter
Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius
Water vapor condenses at 100 degrees
Celsius
Ceramic and glass are brittle,
Cohesion
The tendency of particles of the same substance to
attract one another
This property causes what we call surface
tension. It enables water to form drops.
Density
Mass per unit volume; the mass of a known volume of
matter
Lead is used to make sinkers for fishing line
because lead is denser than water
Ductility
The ability to be stretched into wire—this also is a
property of metals
The tendency of a solid substance to return to its original
form after being stretched
Copper can be stretched to make wire
Electrical
Conductivity
Hardness
The ability of electricity to move through a material.
Metal wires conduct electricity
Ability of solids to resist being scratched
Luster
The “shininess” of a substance. The ability of a
substance to reflect light.
The ability to form a magnetic field and attract other
metals
The ability to be pounded into flat sheets—this is a
property of metals
The amount of matter that something is made of.
The mineral diamond is harder than the
mineral quartz
Diamonds and metals are lustrous
Elasticity
Magnetic
Malleability
Mass
Melting/Freezing Point
Temperature at which a solid turns to liquid
Temperature at which a liquid turns to solid
Rubber bands and super balls are elastic;
ceramic is not
Iron is magnetic, wood is not
Aluminum can be pressed into “foil”
A mouse has a small mass, an elephant has
a large mass.
Water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius
Ice melts at 0 degrees Celsius
Solubility
The ability to dissolve in another substance
State/phase
The physical form in which a substance exists, such as a
solid, liquid, or gas
Surface Tension
Tendency of liquid particles to stick together, forming a
“skin”
Tensile Strength
How well a solid resists breaking under tension (when
pulled)
Water has a high surface tension so that
little bugs can scoot around on the surface of
lakes and ponds without falling in.
Rubber bands have a high tensile strength,
paper does not
Texture
The smoothness or roughness of a substance
Sandpaper is rough, glass is smooth
Thermal
Conductivity
Viscosity
The ability to transfer thermal energy (heat) from one
area to another
A liquid’s resistance to flow
Styrofoam is a poor conductor, Metals are
good conductors
Syrup is more viscous than water
Volume
The amount of space an object occupies
A marble has a small volume compared to
the Earth
Sugar dissolves in water, potassium
permanganate dissolves in water; sand does
not
Ice is water in its solid state; “dry ice” is CO2
in its solid state
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Chemical Property
Definition
Examples
Ability to Burn (Flammability)
Burning
Wood burningproduces CO2 and
H20, as well as carbon (soot) and
other new substances.
Ability to Rust
Rusting
The iron in a car reacts with oxygen in
the air producing iron oxide (“rust”)—
FeO2, a flakey, brown/orange
substance.
Ability to Corrode
Corroding (usually with acid)
Certain metals react with hydrochloric
acidproducing hydrogen gas (H2)
and metal salts, such as the crusty
crud that forms on a leaky battery
pH
A figure that expresses the acidity or
alkalinity (how basic) of a substance
on a logarithmic scale
Strongest acid pH = 1
Neutral pH = 7
Strongest base = 14
Toxicity
The quality, relative degree or specific
degree of being poisonous
Acids, bleach, lead, mercury, silica
packets, etc.