What Are Physical Properties Definition Types and Examples
Anything that occupies space and has some mass is called matter. And every matter in this universe consists of physical and chemical properties which change when it undergoes reaction. These properties of matter are either chemical or physical and further, these physical properties are either extensive or intensive. It is important to study the properties of substances to understand their nature. Every substance reacts differently as all of them consist of different physical properties. There are different ways to observe the physical and chemical properties of the substances. For example, non metals have different ways of reacting towards acid from metals as the properties of metals and non-metals differ.
Properties of Substances
These properties are either intensive or extensive or they can be classified as physical or chemical. The examples of extensive properties are volume or mass depending on the amount of the measured matter. The examples of intensive properties are color or density which do not depend on the amount of matter. It is important to note that physical properties are both intensive or extensive properties. These can be estimated without controlling the chemical identity of the substances. The example of physical property can be explained with the help of freezing water, when we freeze the water, it will still remain water , however, only the physical state will change. The other examples of physical properties can be measured or demonstrated by studying color, density, volume and mass of the substances. It only changes the physical state of the substance but doesn't change the chemical composition of the substances. Some changes also include more than one type of change in their properties. For example, if we blend two fruits to make a juice. This change will include two types of physical changes as it will change the state of matter from solid to liquid and mixing of pieces of fruits. However, there is no chemical change involved here. Some of the other physical change includes:
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Physical and Chemical Properties
As we discussed, the physical properties are the properties which are either intensive or extensive. The intensive properties are not seen with the naked eyes while the extensive ones are easily observed. The intensive ones are color, density while the extensive properties are the volume , mass etc. The reaction involving any change in these extensive or intensive properties is called physical properties. These changes did not result in any change of the chemical composition unlike the chemical change. For example, the physical properties of soil changes include the texture, porosity, density etc. It gets affected in case of soil erosion.
Similarly, the physical properties of acid which are most likely to change when it undergoes any reaction are its sour taste, the change in its color (litmus paper).
The chemical properties are referred to as that property which lead to the change in the chemical structure. The examples of chemical properties are the heat of combustion which is the energy released when a compound undergoes complete combustion (burning) with oxygen, or Chemical stability which is determined if a compound will react with water or air as the stable chemical substance will not react. The chemical changes are the changes which lead to change in the chemical composition example, cooking, rusting etc. as they produce new chemical compounds.
Physical Properties of Non Metal
There is a significant difference between metal or non-metals. The appearance of metals and non metals differs due to their different physical properties. The intensive or extensive physical properties of the nonmetal determine its appearance and its reaction with other substances. These physical properties can be of great utility in some cases. For example, copper is used to make electrical wires as they are conductors and will allow the electricity to pass. However, you cannot use non-metal in this case as it will not allow the electricity to pass. The physical properties of non-metal also decides its utility like high-ionization energies, poor conductor of heat, low density, etc.
Conclusion
The physical properties can determine its application. The physical properties are extensive or intensive. The extensive ones volume, mass etc and the intensive ones are the density, etc. The change which leads to the change in the physical property without affecting the chemical property is called Physical change. The change which results in the change of the chemical composition or it leads to the formation of a new chemical compound is called chemical change.
FAQs on Physical Properties of Matter in Chemistry
1. What are physical properties in chemistry?
Physical properties are characteristics of a substance that can be observed or measured without changing its chemical identity.
In chemistry, physical properties describe how matter looks, feels, or behaves under certain conditions without forming a new substance.
- Examples include color, density, melting point, boiling point, and electrical conductivity.
- Observing a physical property does not alter the substance’s chemical formula.
- For example, melting H2O(s) to H2O(l) is a physical change because the substance remains water.
2. What is the difference between physical and chemical properties?
The difference between physical and chemical properties is that physical properties can be observed without changing a substance’s composition, while chemical properties describe how a substance reacts to form new substances.
- Physical property: density, melting point, state of matter.
- Chemical property: flammability, reactivity with acids, oxidation ability.
- Burning methane is a chemical change: CH4(g) + 2O2(g) → CO2(g) + 2H2O(l).
3. What are examples of physical properties of matter?
Examples of physical properties of matter include measurable characteristics such as density, melting point, boiling point, and solubility.
- Density (mass per unit volume)
- Melting point and boiling point
- Color and odor
- Hardness and malleability
- Solubility in water or other solvents
4. What is density and how is it calculated?
Density is the mass of a substance per unit volume and is calculated using the formula Density = Mass / Volume.
- Symbol: ρ = m / V
- SI unit: kg m-3 (commonly g cm-3 in chemistry)
- Example: If 10 g of a substance occupies 2 cm3, then density = 10 ÷ 2 = 5 g cm-3.
5. What is melting point in chemistry?
Melting point is the temperature at which a solid changes into a liquid at standard atmospheric pressure.
- It is a characteristic physical property of a pure substance.
- At the melting point, solid and liquid phases coexist in equilibrium.
- Example: Ice melts at 0°C (273 K) under 1 atm pressure.
6. What is boiling point and what affects it?
Boiling point is the temperature at which a liquid’s vapor pressure equals the external pressure, causing it to change into a gas.
- It depends on intermolecular forces (stronger forces → higher boiling point).
- It varies with external pressure.
- Example: Water (H2O) boils at 100°C at 1 atm.
7. What is solubility in chemistry?
Solubility is the maximum amount of a solute that can dissolve in a given amount of solvent at a specific temperature and pressure.
- Usually expressed in g per 100 g solvent or mol L-1.
- Depends on temperature and nature of solute and solvent.
- Example: Sodium chloride dissolves in water as NaCl(s) → Na+(aq) + Cl-(aq).
8. Is state of matter a physical property?
Yes, the state of matter (solid, liquid, or gas) is a physical property because it describes the form of a substance without changing its composition.
- Common states: solid, liquid, gas.
- Changes between states are physical changes.
- Example: H2O(s) → H2O(l) → H2O(g) involves no chemical change.
9. What is electrical conductivity as a physical property?
Electrical conductivity is the ability of a substance to allow the flow of electric current without undergoing chemical change.
- Metals conduct electricity due to delocalized electrons.
- Ionic compounds conduct when molten or dissolved in water.
- Example: Molten sodium chloride conducts because it contains mobile Na+ and Cl- ions.
10. Why are physical properties important in chemistry?
Physical properties are important in chemistry because they help identify, classify, and separate substances without changing their chemical composition.
- Used to confirm purity (melting and boiling points).
- Help in substance identification (density, color, solubility).
- Applied in separation techniques like distillation (based on boiling point differences).
