Physical Properties
A physical property can be observed without changing the substance's identity. For example, you do not need to change the composition or chemical structure of a rock to measure its mass or color. There are two branches of physical properties: intensive and extensive. To see more information about intensive/extensive properties, see related question below.
- Color
- Odor
- Boiling point
- Melting point
- Density
- Size
- Mass
- Conductivity
- Temperature
- Solubility
Chemical Properties
A chemical property is any of a material's properties that become evident during a chemical reaction. During a chemical reaction a quality can only be established by changing a substance's chemical identity. This means chemical properties cannot be determined just by viewing or touching the substance. The substance's internal structure must be affected for its chemical properties to be investigated.
- Conductivity
- Malleability
- Reactivity
- Flammability (the ability to catch on fire),
- Toxicity (the ability to become poisonous)
- Oxidation (the ability to react with oxygen like causing most fruit to turn brown and iron to rust).
- Radioactivity (spontaneously emitting energy in the form of particles or waves by the disintegration of their atomic nuclei)
- Sensitivity to light (which causes newspaper to turn yellow).