Physical Properties Notes
(6.6) The student knows matter has physical properties
that can be used for classification.
•
Compare metals, nonmetals, and metalloids
using physical properties such as luster,
conductivity, or malleability
Physical Properties
• Appearance – Color, size, shape, texture
• Buoyancy – Tendency to float
• Boiling Point – Temp where it changes
from liquid to gas
• Conductivity – Ability to conduct heat,
sound or electricity
• Density –Amount of matter in a given
volume D=m/v
• Ductility – Ability of a substance to be
pulled into a thin strand, such as wire.
• Hardness – Ability to resist being
scratched
• Luster- How it reflects light
• Magnetism – Ability to attract iron
• Malleability – Ability to be pressed or
pounded into thin sheets
• Mass – Amount of matter in an object
• Melting point – Temp where a substance
changes from a solid to a liquid.
• Odor
• Solubility – Ability of a substance to
dissolve
• State of Matter – Solid, liquid or gas
• Temperature – Amount of energy in matter
• Volume – Amount of space an object
takes up.
Metals, Nonmetals, & Metalloids
• Elements are classified as metals, nonmetals, and
metalloids based on their properties.
• Metal – element that is shiny, ductile, malleable and a
good conductor
• Nonmetal- element that is not shiny, ductile, malleable
and is not a good conductor
• Metalloid – an element that has properties of both
metals and non metals.
• Zig zag line (stair step) on periodic table separates the
metals and nonmetals
• 6 elements that border the zig zag are metalloids
http://www.cwu.edu/~cots/images/periodic_table.jpg
Metals
Non metals
Metalloids
Shiny
Mostly dull
Varying ability to
conduct electricity
Malleable (can be
flattened into sheets)
Brittle, not malleable
or ductile
Can be used to make
semiconductors –
conduct electricity only
under certain
conditions.
Ductile (can be
shaped into wires)
Poor conductors of
heat & electricity
Good conductors of
heat & electricity
Many are gases at
room temp.
Most are solid at room
temp.