Question

Write two physical properties of charcoal.

Answer 1

Hint: The physical properties of the substances can be observed as its appearance, color, texture, polarity, density, solubility, odor, melting point, boiling point, etc without changing the composition of the compound. The carbon residue that we get on heating the wood is known as charcoal.


Complete step by step answer:
When we observe or measure any quantity or property without changing the composition of the compound is called the physical properties. The physical properties of the substances can be observed as its appearance, color, texture, polarity, density, solubility, odor, melting point, boiling point, etc without changing the composition of the compound.
When the wood is heated at a very high temperature to drive off all the moisture and to drive off all the moisture, we get lightweight black carbon residue which is known as charcoal.
So some of the physical properties of charcoal are given below:
The physical form of charcoal at room temperature is solid.
The natural color of charcoal is black.
Charcoal has porosity due to which it has low density.
Its conductivity towards heat and electricity is very low, so it is a bad conductor of electricity and heat.
It doesn’t dissolve in water.
Its absorbing power is very high.
When it is heated at high temperatures it produces smoke and heat.
The melting point of charcoal is approximately around ${{1300}^{\circ }}C$.


Note: Due to its high adsorbing property it is widely used in the adsorption process. For example, when an aqueous solution of raw sugar is shaken with animal charcoal and then filtered, the filtrate is colorless which gives white crystals on crystallization. This is because the coloring substances are adsorbed at animal charcoal.