Physical Properties
…can be observed without changing
composition
Examples:
Color
Shape
Magnetism
Boiling Point
Melting Point
Density
Buoyancy
Property = a characteristic or a quality
Composition
= the ingredients or make-up of
a substance, often represented
by a chemical formula
Water is composed of Hydrogen and Oxygen
Emeralds are composed of Al, Be, Si and O
Diamonds are composed of Carbon only
Shape and Form
• Crystalline:
solid with a repeating pattern.
• Massive:
shapeless, no pattern or order to shape.
• Granular:
made of grains or tiny crystals
Color and Light
• Transparent:
clear, all light passes through (“see-through”)
• Translucent:
not clear, some light passes through (“light-through”)
• Opaque:
light cannot pass through; solid color.
• Reflective:
light bounces off; shiny
• Dull:
Non-reflective.
Changes in Shape
• Rigid:
does not change shape
• Brittle:
rigid and fragile; breaks easily
• Malleable:
can change shape without breaking
• Ductile:
can be drawn out or stretched
• Elastic:
always returns to original shape (“shape memory”)
Conductivity:
the ability to conduct (carry) heat or electricity
Conductors
carry heat and electricity well.
Insulators
prevent or slow the flow of heat/electricity.
Viscosity:
a fluid’s resistance to flow (how slow it flows)
Molasses is very viscous.
Miscibility:
the ability of two fluids to mix evenly.
Juice and water are miscible.
Oil and water are immiscible.
Miscible vs. Immiscible
These terms describe the ability of a liquid to
form a solution in a given solvent.
Alcohol is
miscible in
water.
Oil is
immiscible in
water.
Soluble vs. Insoluble
These terms describe the ability of a solid to
form a solution in a given solvent.
Salt is highly
soluble in
water.
Chalk is
insoluble in
water.
CuCl2 is
soluble in
water.
CuCl2 is
insoluble in
toluene.
Solubility
the ability to dissolve in water
to dissolve in water :
to form a homogeneous mixture with water
Soluble :
dissolves in water
Insoluble :
cannot dissolve in water
Boiling Point
The temperature at which evaporation or
condensation occur.
Melting Point
The temperature at which melting or freezing occur.