Chemical & Physical Properties

Physical Properties

Properties that are unique for each substance and are used to identify the substance itself

Physical state Color Odor Texture

Clarity Luster Form Hardness

Brittleness Malleability Ductility Viscosity

Melting point Boiling point Density

Chemical Property

Properties of a substance that we observe when it reacts or does not react with other substances

Ability to react with oxygen

iron rust in moist air; gold doesn’t

Ability to burn

hydrogen burns in oxygen but nitrogen doesn’t

Ability to react with acid

Zinc reacts with acid; but glass doesn’t

Physical Change

No new substance is produced

Substances remains the same even with a change of state

May involve the addition of energy or release of energy

Outside may look different, Particles may be rearranged but the substance is still the same.

Physical Change - Examples

Mixing sugar and water

Ice melting into water

Solid wax to liquid wax

Changing shape

Chemical Change

Final substance is substantially different than initial substance

New substance is always produced

Energy is usually released but may be required to get the change going

Signs of a Chemical Change

Forming of Gas

Forming of a solid (precipitate)

Release or absorption of energy

Color change

Chemical Change - Examples

Vinegar and baking soda mix to form carbon dioxide

Iron and oxygen and water react to form rust