Physical Properties
What are they?
Expectation:
The student will be able to distinguish between physical
and chemical properties.
Prerequisite: What are physical properties?
Bellwork:
Look at your pencil—what are some properties that
you can observe about your pencil? List these in your
journal.
Pencil Properties
•
•
•
•
•
Solid
Wood or plastic (depending on the type)
Color may vary
Size will vary
Shape- generally longer than your palm, thinner
than your fingers
• Solid matter
– These are all properties of the pencil—physical
properties! 
Reviewing MATTER
• Matter: anything that has mass and takes
up space
– Mass – the amount of matter in something
– Volume – the amount of space something
occupies
• Which of the following is matter?
– A car?
– A box?
– You?
What is a property?
• Property: a
characteristic of a
substance that can
be observed
What a Physical Property is
NOT: Chemical Properties
• Chemical property: a property that
can only be observed by changing the
identity of the substance
Examples:
•flammability
•ability to rust
•reactivity with vinegar
Physical Property
Physical property: a property that can be
observed without changing the identity of the
substance.
Examples:
• luster-The shine from the
surface of a mineral. It is usually
characterized as metallic, glassy,
pearly, or dull.
• malleability: the ability to
be hammered into a thin
sheet
• conductivity-ability to
conduct energy
• melting point
• boiling point
• density
• volume
• mass
• solubility
Special Physical Properties
• Melting point: the temperature at
which a substance changes from a
solid to a liquid at a given pressure
water = 0oC
• Boiling point: the temperature at
which a substance changes from a
liquid to a gas at a given pressure
water = 100oC
Physical Properties That Can Easily Be
Observed with Your Senses
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Shape
Size (in comparison to other things)
Color
Texture
Odor
State of Matter
Length
Solubility
• Measure of how much of one substance can
dissolve in another.
– Salt & sugar—very soluble in water
• Salt is not soluble in alcohol
– Oil, sand, rock—not soluble
Conductivity
• A material’s ability to carry energy.
– Two types:
• electrical conductivity– carries electricity
• heat conductivity- carries heat
• Metals—good electrical and heat conductors mostly
• Rubber--- poor conductivity both
• Ceramic cup—poor electrical; good heat
conductivity
Quick Review
• Name at least 4 observable physical
properties of matter.
• Which of these do you think is not a
physical property?
–
–
–
–
A. solubility
B. Conductivity
C. Shine
D. Reactivity to another substance
Mass
• A measure of the amount of matter in an
object or a material. (Grams (g) or
Kilograms (kg)
– A larger object contains more matter than a
smaller one of the same material so the larger
one has a greater mass.
– Use a scale/balance to measure an object’s
mass. 1 gram=1 paperclip
Volume
• The amount of space a sample of matter
takes up.
– Volume of a solid can be measured in cubic
centimeters.
– Liquid volumes are measured in liters (L) or
milliliters (mL)
• One cubic centimeter=one milliliter
Volume
• You can find volume of a solid by
multiplying its length x width x height.
• To find the volume of an odd shaped solid,
sink it in water in a beaker or graduated
cylinder. The object’s volume equals the
increase in the water level.
Density
• Density is the amount of mass per unit of
volume.
• Density can be used to identify a
substance.
• The density of water is 1.0g/mL
• To find the density, find the mass and then
divide it by its volume.
Density Calculations
• Calculations:
D = m/V = g/mL = g/cm3
• Ex: A cube has a mass of 2.8 g and
occupies a volume of 3.67 ml. Would
this object float or sink in water?
Mass = 2.8 g
Volume = 3.67 mL
D = 2.8g/3.67 mL= 0.76 g/mL
– This object would float in water because
its density is less than water (1.0 g/mL).
More Density Calculations
• Ex: A liquid has a mass of 25.6 g and a
volume of 31.6 mL. Use the table below
to identify the substance.
Substance
Density (g/mL)
D = 25.6 g/31.6 mL
Mercury
13.6
D= 0.81 g/mL
Water
1.00
Ethanol
0.81
M=25.6 g
V=31.6 mL
The substance is ethanol.
Expectation: The student will be able to distinguish between physical and
chemical properties.
Prerequisite: What are physical properties?
• Create a concept circle to define what
physical properties are.
– Include at least two not statements.