Physical and Chemical Properties

Extensive Properties

Physical properties that depend on the amount of matter present in a sample.

Mass

The quantity of matter in an object.

Length

The distance between two points.

Weight

The force exerted on an object's mass by the gravitational field.

Volume

The amount of space that matter occupies.

Intensive Properties

Physical properties that do not depend on the amount of matter present in a sample.

Conductivity

The measure of how easily an electric charge or heat can pass through a material.

Hardness

The ability of a material to withstand force without deformation, scratching, or penetration.

Melting Point

The temperature at which a solid changes to a liquid when heat is applied.

Boiling Point

The temperature at which a liquid turns into a vapor when heated.

Malleability

The quality of a material that can be shaped without breaking.

Ductility

The ability of a metal to be drawn out into a wire without breaking.

Volatility

The tendency of a substance to evaporate at normal temperatures.

Solubility

The ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent.

Chemical Properties

Properties of matter that describe a substance based on its ability to change into a new substance with different properties.

Combustibility

The tendency of a substance to react with oxygen, releasing heat.

Flammability

The ability of a substance to burn.

Reactivity

The ability of an element to easily form chemical bonds, often releasing energy.