3.5: Differences in Matter- Physical and Chemical Properties (2024)

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    Learning Objectives

    To separate physical from chemical properties.

    All matter has physical and chemical properties. Physical properties are characteristics that scientists can measure without changing the composition of the sample under study, such as mass, color, and volume (the amount of space occupied by a sample). Chemical properties describe the characteristic ability of a substance to react to form new substances; they include its flammability and susceptibility to corrosion. All samples of a pure substance have the same chemical and physical properties. For example, pure copper is always a reddish-brown solid (a physical property) and always dissolves in dilute nitric acid to produce a blue solution and a brown gas (a chemical property).

    Physical Property

    A physical property is a characteristic of a substance that can be observed or measured without changing the identity of the substance. Silver is a shiny metal that conducts electricity very well. It can be molded into thin sheets, a property called malleability. Salt is dull and brittle and conducts electricity when it has been dissolved into water, which it does quite easily. Physical properties of matter include color, hardness, malleability, solubility, electrical conductivity, density, melting point, and boiling point.

    For the elements, color does not vary much from one element to the next. The vast majority of elements are colorless, silver, or gray. Some elements do have distinctive colors: sulfur and chlorine are yellow, copper is (of course) copper-colored, and elemental bromine is red. However, density can be a very useful parameter for identifying an element. Of the materials that exist as solids at room temperature, iodine has a very low density compared to zinc, chromium, and tin. Gold has a very high density, as does platinum. Pure water, for example, has a density of 0.998 g/cm3 at 25°C. The average densities of some common substances are in Table \(\PageIndex{1}\). Notice that corn oil has a lower mass to volume ratio than water. This means that when added to water, corn oil will “float.”

    Table \(\PageIndex{1}\): Densities of Common Substances
    Substance Density at 25°C (g/cm3)
    blood 1.035
    body fat 0.918
    whole milk 1.030
    corn oil 0.922
    mayonnaise 0.910
    honey 1.420

    Hardness helps determine how an element (especially a metal) might be used. Many elements are fairly soft (silver and gold, for example) while others (such as titanium, tungsten, and chromium) are much harder. Carbon is an interesting example of hardness. In graphite, (the "lead" found in pencils) the carbon is very soft, while the carbon in a diamond is roughly seven times as hard.

    3.5: Differences in Matter- Physical and Chemical Properties (1)3.5: Differences in Matter- Physical and Chemical Properties (2)

    Melting and boiling points are somewhat unique identifiers, especially of compounds. In addition to giving some idea as to the identity of the compound, important information can be obtained about the purity of the material.

    Chemical Properties

    Chemical properties of matter describe its potential to undergo some chemical change or reaction by virtue of its composition. The elements, electrons, and bonds that are present give the matter potential for chemical change. It is quite difficult to define a chemical property without using the word "change". Eventually, after studying chemistry for some time, you should be able to look at the formula of a compound and state some chemical property. For example, hydrogen has the potential to ignite and explode given the right conditions—this is a chemical property. Metals in general have the chemical property of reacting with an acid. Zinc reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce hydrogen gas—this is a chemical property.

    3.5: Differences in Matter- Physical and Chemical Properties (3)

    A chemical property of iron is its capability of combining with oxygen to form iron oxide, the chemical name of rust (Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\)). The more general term for rusting and other similar processes is corrosion. Other terms that are commonly used in descriptions of chemical changes are burn, rot, explode, decompose, and ferment. Chemical properties are very useful in identifying substances. However, unlike physical properties, chemical properties can only be observed as the substance is in the process of being changed into a different substance.

    Table \(\PageIndex{2}\): Contrasting Physical and Chemical Properties
    Physical Properties Chemical Properties
    Gallium metal melts at 30 oC. Iron metal rusts.
    Mercury is a very dense liquid. A green banana turns yellow when it ripens.
    Gold is shiny. A dry piece of paper burns.
    Example \(\PageIndex{1}\)

    Which of the following is a chemical property of iron?

    1. Iron corrodes in moist air.
    2. Density = 7.874 g/cm3
    3. Iron is soft when pure.
    4. Iron melts at 1808 K.

    Solution

    "Iron corrodes in moist air" is the only chemical property of iron from the list.

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{1A}\)

    Which of the following is a physical property of matter?

    1. corrosiveness
    2. pH (acidity)
    3. density
    4. flammability
    Answer
    c
    Exercise \(\PageIndex{1B}\)

    Which of the following is a chemical property?

    1. flammability
    2. melting point
    3. boiling point
    4. density
    Answer
    a

    Summary

    A physical property is a characteristic of a substance that can be observed or measured without changing the identity of the substance. Physical properties include color, density, hardness, and melting and boiling points. A chemical property describes the ability of a substance to undergo a specific chemical change. To identify a chemical property, we look for a chemical change. A chemical change always produces one or more types of matter that differ from the matter present before the change. The formation of rust is a chemical change because rust is a different kind of matter than the iron, oxygen, and water present before the rust formed.

    3.5: Differences in Matter- Physical and Chemical Properties (2024)

    FAQs

    What are the differences between physical and chemical properties of matter? ›

    A physical property is a characteristic of a substance that can be observed or measured without changing the identity of the substance. Physical properties include color, density, hardness, and melting and boiling points. A chemical property describes the ability of a substance to undergo a specific chemical change.

    What are the differences between physical and chemical changes properties? ›

    In a physical change the nature of the substance, the particles of which it is composed and the numbers of particles remain unchanged. In a chemical change the properties of the new substances are different from the original, the particles are different and the number of particles can change.

    What is the difference between the physical and chemical properties of a substance quizlet? ›

    A physical property is an aspect that can be observed or measured without being changed. A chemical property may only be observed by changing the chemical identity or substance.

    What is one way that physical and chemical properties are different? ›

    Thus melting point is a physical property. On the other hand, flammability is a chemical property of matter because the only way to know how readily a substance ignites is to burn it. In the chemical reaction for combustion, the reactants and products are different.

    What are the chemical properties of matter? ›

    Chemical Properties of Matter

    Reactivity, flammability, and the ability to rust are among them. The tendency of matter to react chemically with other substances is known as reactivity. Flammability, toxicity, acidity, the reactivity of various types, and heat of combustion are examples of chemical properties.

    What are four examples of chemical properties? ›

    Examples of chemical properties include flammability, toxicity, acidity, reactivity (many types), and heat of combustion.

    What is the difference between physical and chemical? ›

    The difference between a physical reaction and a chemical reaction is composition. In a chemical reaction, there is a change in the composition of the substances in question; in a physical change there is a difference in the appearance, smell, or simple display of a sample of matter without a change in composition.

    What are 10 examples of physical and chemical change? ›

    Chemical and Physical Changes Occurring Together
    ScenarioType of Change
    Water vapor condensing on a mirrorPhysical
    Copper pennies becoming green over timeChemical
    The combination of two metals to form an alloyPhysical
    The eruption from a baking soda and vinegar volcanoChemical

    What are 5 examples of physical change? ›

    Some common examples of physical changes are: melting, freezing, condensing, breaking, crushing, cutting, and bending. Some, but not all physical changes can be reversed. You could refreeze the water into ice, but you cannot put your hair back together if you don't like your haircut!

    What is the difference between physical properties and chemical properties and list 3 examples of each? ›

    The general properties of matter such as color, density, hardness, are examples of physical properties. Properties that describe how a substance changes into a completely different substance are called chemical properties. Flammability and corrosion/oxidation resistance are examples of chemical properties.

    What are the five signs of a chemical change? ›

    There are five signs of a chemical change:
    • Color Change.
    • Production of an odor.
    • Change of Temperature.
    • Evolution of a gas (formation of bubbles)
    • Precipitate (formation of a solid)

    What are 5 differences between physical and chemical properties? ›

    A physical property of a substance may or may not depend on the amount of the substance. Examples of physical properties are size, shape, color, volume, mass, etc. Examples of chemical properties are oxidation, flammability, chemical reactions, etc.

    What are the five main properties of matter? ›

    Physical Properties of Matter

    Colour, density, volume, mass, boiling temperature, and melting point are the six main physical properties.

    What is matter made of? ›

    Matter on Earth is in the form of solid, liquid, or gas. Solids, liquids, and gases are made of tiny particles called atoms and molecules. In a solid, the particles are very attracted to each other. They are close together and vibrate in position but don't move past one another.

    What are the physical and chemical properties of metals? ›

    Metals have the physical properties of being shiny, conducting heat and electricity, and being malleable. In regards to chemical properties, metals will typically be reactive with hydrochloric acid to create hydrogen gas. Metals lose electrons easily in chemical reactions.

    What is the difference between physical and chemical changes based on the presence of heat? ›

    Physical changes can occur without the production or absorption of energy in the form of heat or light. Chemical changes often involve the release or absorption of energy in the form of heat, light, or sound. The energy change is associated with the breaking and forming of chemical bonds.

    What are physical and chemical properties for kids? ›

    A physical property is one that a person can measure without changing the material. Color, amount, hardness, and temperature are examples of physical properties. All materials also have chemical properties. A chemical property tells how a material will change into a different substance under special conditions.

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