Learn About Chemical Properties of Matter
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By
Chemistry Expert
- Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
- B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
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Updated on January 24, 2020
A chemical property is a characteristic or behavior of a substance that may be observed when it undergoes a chemical change or reaction. Chemical properties are seen either during or following a reactionsince the arrangement of atoms within a sample must be disrupted for the property to be investigated. This is different from a physical property, which is a characteristic that may be observed and measured without changing the chemical identity of a specimen.
Key Takeaways: Chemical Property
- A chemical property is a characteristic of a substance that may be observed when it participates in a chemical reaction.
- Examples of chemical properties include flammability, toxicity, chemical stability, and heat of combustion.
- Chemical properties are used to establish chemical classifications, which are used in labels on containers and storage areas.
Examples of Chemical Properties
Examples of chemical properties of a substance can include:
- Toxicity
- Reactivity
- Types of chemical bonds formed
- Coordination number
- Oxidation states
- Flammability
- Heat of combustion
- Enthalpy of formation
- Chemical stability under specific conditions
- Acidity or basicity
- Radioactivity
Remember, a chemical change must occur for a chemical property to be observed and measured. For example, iron oxidizes and becomes rust. Rusting is not a property that can be described based on analysis of the pure element.
Uses of Chemical Properties
Chemical properties are of great interest to materials science. These characteristics help scientists classify samples, identify unknown materials, and purify substances. Knowing the properties helps chemists make predictions about the type of reactions to expect. Because chemical properties are not readily apparent, they are included in labels for chemical containers. Hazard labels based on chemical properties should be affixed to containers, while full documentation should be maintained for easy reference.
Sources
- Emiliani, Cesare (1987). Dictionary of the Physical Sciences: Terms, Formulas, Data. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-503651-0.
- Masterton, William L.; Hurley, Cecile N. (2009). Chemistry: Principles and Reactions (6th edition). Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning.
- Meyers, Robert A. (2001). Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology (3rd ed.). Academic Press. ISBN 978-0-12-227410-7.
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Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Chemical Property Definition and Examples." ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/definition-of-chemical-property-and-examples-604908.Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2021, February 16). Chemical Property Definition and Examples. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-chemical-property-and-examples-604908Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Chemical Property Definition and Examples." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-chemical-property-and-examples-604908 (accessed March 29, 2024).
