Properties of Matter

• General Properties of Matter

  • Mass
  • Weight
  • Volume
  • Density
  • Specific Gravity
• Mass


  Amount of matter in an object, measured in grams or kilograms
• Weight


  Measure of force that acts on an object, measured in newtons (N) (mass*gravitational force)
• Volume


  Amount of space occupied by matter
• Density


  Ratio between mass and volume e.g. kg per cubic meter (kg/m³) -tells how compact an object is - directly related to amount of space
• Specific Gravity


  Ratio of substance's density to standard substance or between two densities - also known as relative density - Water (4°C) - standard for comparison of liquids and solids - Room Temp (20°C) standard for comparison of gases
• Physical Properties of Matter: (qualities that are observable or measurable w/o changing matters' composition)

  1. All general properties of matter
  2. Melting Point - temp at which a solid matter turns to liquid (*tungsten - highest meting point)
  3. Freezing Point - temp at which a liquid turns to solid
  4. Boiling Point - temp at which liquid vaporizes(*higher altitude - lesser atmospheric pressure - boils faster
  5. Solubility - the ability of a solute (lesser amount) dissolves in solvent (greater amount) (*miscible - mix well together)
• Metallic Properties : (Included in physical properties of matter)(qualities that are observed physically in metals)

  1. Conductivity - allow heat or electric charges to pass through
  2. Malleability - flatten into thin sheets
  3. Ductility - easily drawn into wires
• Intensive Properties

  • physical properties that do not depend on the amount of matter
  • color, density, boiling point, melting point, freezing point

  Extensive Properties

  • physical properties that depend on the amount of matter
  • mass, volume, weight
• Chemical Properties of Matter


  Chemical identity is altered, undergoes a chemical change
• Biodegradability


  • Capacity of matter to decompose through the actions of microorganisms
  • Organic/carbon-based materials have higher biodegradability than synthetic
• Combustibility


  • Ability of material to burn or to combust
  • Highly volatile materials/easily evaporate or sublime - highly combustible
• Flammability


  • Ability of combustible material to catch flame easily
• Reactivity

  • Tendency of a substance to undergo a chemical reaction
  • Fluorine - easily combines with another element to form a compound
  • Noble gases - elements with no to little reactivity
  • Helium - least reactive known element
  • Platinum - one of the least reactive