Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter

Melting/Freezing point

The temperature at which a substance turns from solid to liquid and vice versa

Boiling/Condensation Point

The temperature at which a substance turns from a liquid to gas and vice versa

Density

The amount of mass a substance has per unit volume. Often measured in g/mL or g/cm³

Colour

Colourless, red, blue, etc

Clarity

If you can see through the object (transparent, translucent, opaque)

Luster

The ability to shine by reflecting light (lustrous or dull)

Hardness

Ability to scratch another material (hard vs soft)

Odour

How an object smells (putrid, sweet, fresh)

Taste

Sweet, sour, salty, bitter, umami (savoury)

Texture

How an object feels (smooth, rough, fuzzy)

Conductivity

Ability of a substance to transfer electricity. Conductive objects can transfer electricity and non-conductive or insulating objects cannot

Ductility

Ability of a substance to be pulled into a wire (copper wire)

Malleability

Ability of a substance to be rolled or pounded into thin sheets (gold = malleable)

Solubility 

Ability to dissolve in another chemical to form a solution (solute, solvent, insoluble)

Viscosity

Ability of a liquid to flow or pour (honey > water)

Crystal Form

Solids that are made of tiny cubes with a regular pattern (diamonds, salt)

Flexibility

The ability of an object to bend (flexible, rigid, brittle)

Combustible or flammable

Ability of a substance to catch fire and burn, producing energy (wood, gasoline)

Reaction with acid

Ability of a substance to react with acid (Magnesium reacts in hydrochloric acid)

Reaction with water

Ability of a substance to react with water (lithium & water)

Reaction with oxygen (oxidation)

Ability of a substance to react with oxygen (iron oxide)

Light sensitivity

Ability of a substance to react with light (Hydrogen peroxide is stored in opaque bottles because it reacts to light)

Physical property

Describes a substance and can be observed qualitatively or quantitatively

Chemical property

Describes how a substance behaves in a reaction and is only observed when a substance changes or reacts

Extrinsic physical properties

Depend on the amount (mass, volume, length, size, etc)

Intrinsic physical properties

Do not depend on the amount of an object and are used to identify a substance (density, colour, melting point)