Properties of Matter

• Physical property


  A property of matter that can be observed or measured without changing the identity of the matter
• Types of physical properties


  • Intensive property (density, boiling point, melting point, color, texture, solubility, malleability, ductility)
  • Extensive property (mass, volume, length, area, height)
• Volume


  • Space occupied by an object
• Density


  • Mass per unit volume of a material
• Melting point


  • Temperature at which solid begins to melt
• Boiling point


  • Temperature at which liquid begins to boil
• Hardness


  • Mineral's resistance to being scratched
• Viscosity


  • Ability of a liquid to resist flowing
• Malleability


  The ability to be hammered into thin sheets
• Malleability


  • Aluminum can be rolled or pounded into sheets to make foil
• Ductility


  The ability to be drawn or pulled into a wire
• Ductility


  • Copper in wiring - soldering wires or joints
• Solubility


  The ability to be dissolved in another substance
• Solubility


  • Sugar or salt dissolve in water
• Ways to increase solubility

  1. Heat or make warmer

  2. Grind or smash

  3. Stir or mix
• Thermal conductivity


  The ability to transfer thermal energy from one area to another
• Thermal conductivity


  • Plastic foam is a poor conductor, so a hot drink won't burn your hand
  • The inside of the toaster (hot coils)
• Chemical property


  A property of matter that describes a substance based on its ability to change into a new substance with different properties
• Types of chemical properties

  • Combustibility
  • Flammability
  • Reactivity
  • Acids
  • Bases
  • Oxidation
• Chemical properties can be observed with your senses but are not as easy to observe as physical properties
• Chemical properties


  • Flammability - only when wood burns
  • Combustibility - only when fireworks explode
  • Reactivity - only when iron oxidizes (rusts)
• Characteristics of some chemical properties

  • Ability to change in color (fresh coconut oil when exposed, tarnishing of silver)
  • Ability to form gases (vinegar and baking soda)
  • Ability to give off light and heat (fireworks)
  • Ability to form precipitate (vinegar and milk)
  • Ability to change in temperature or energy (dynamite explosion)
  • Ability to change in form (formation of new products)