MATTER PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MATTER Any characteristics of matter that can be observed without changing its composition. Composition is what a substance is made up of. The 1st physical property of matter is its ability to change its state from solid to liquid to gas & vice versa.

STATES OF MATTER Result from the amount of energy the particles composing the matter has. More energy means more movement of particles. Less energy means less movement of particles.

SOLID Has a fixed shape & volume. Particles are tightly compact. Each particle has its fixed place. Particles can vibrate but cannot move freely. Cannot be compressed. Lowest energy state of matter.

LIQUID Fixed volume Changeable shape. Take the shape of the container. Particles are compact enough to keep the volume but free enough to change the shape. Like solids, liquids can not be compressed. Moderate energy state of matter.

GAS No definite shape & Volume. Particles can easily spread out or move closely together. Take the shape of the container. Can be compressed. Example: in a bicycle tire. High energy state of matter.

PLASMA Is hot ionized gas. Meaning the gas particles have +ve & –ve charges on them. No definite shape or volume. Exists at extremely high temperatures (several million degree Celsius) Highest energy state of matter. Not common on Earth but the most common form of matter in the universe. Found in stars & fusion reactors.

Changes of States in Matter

What Causes State Changes?

Physical properties of matter Density: The amount of matter in a given volume. Density = mass/volume Is unique for every substance. Does not depend or vary with the size of the sample. Is always constant.

Physical properties of matter Viscosity: How well a substance flows. Is a liquid’s property A substance with low viscosity flows easily like water. A substance with high viscosity resist flow like honey.

Physical properties of Matter Solubility: Is the ability of one substance to dissolve in another substance. Temperature of the solvent (liquid) affects the solubility of the solute (solid).

Physical properties of matter Melting point: Is the temperature at which a substance changes its state from solid to liquid. Is unique for every substance. Is not affected by the size of the sample. What is the melting point of ice?

Physical properties of matter Boiling point: Is the temperature at which a substance changes its state from liquid to gas. Is unique for every substance. Is not affected by the size of the sample.

Physical properties of matter Freezing Point: Is the temperature at which a substance changes its state from liquid to solid. Is unique for every substance. Does not change with the size of the sample.

Physical properties of matter Odor: How a substance smells. Useful for identifying substances with peculiar odor. For example, vinegar and sulfur have very distinctive odor. How do we smell substances in the lab?

Physical properties of matter Texture: How a substance feels or looks. Also, the size, shape, & pattern of a rock’s grain Sand paper is rough. Glass is smooth.

Physical properties of matter Conductivity: Ability of a substance to allow heat and electricity to flow through it. Metals like iron & copper are good conductors and rubber is not.

Physical properties of matter Luster: The way a substance reflects light. Dull, earthy, metallic, greasy, pearly, glassy, & silky are words used to describe the luster of substances.

Physical properties of matter Malleability: Ability of a substance to be hammered/ pounded into sheets. Most metals like silver, lead, and copper, are highly malleable.

Physical properties of matter Hardness: Ability of a substance to resist scratching or get scratched easily. Is measured on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Talc is the softest and diamond is the hardest substance 0n the Mohs hardness scale.

Physical properties of matter Ductility: Ability of a substance to be drawn into wires. Metals like aluminum & copper can be easily drawn into wires & are used in electrical cords.

MATTER CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Chemical Properties of Matter Is the ability or inability of a substance to combine with or change into one or more new substances. Describes a substance’s potential to undergo a chemical change. For example rusting is a chemical property of iron as it forms iron oxide when exposed to oxygen in the air.

Chemical Properties of Matter Flammability: The ability to burn easily. Some substances like wood and paper are highly flammable. Others like rock, sand, & iron are not flammable.

Chemical Properties of Matter Rust: Is the ability of a substance to react with the oxygen in the air and water vapor in the atmosphere. Iron rusts. Aluminum does not rust.

Chemical Properties of Matter Reaction with acids: Changes when exposed to an acid. Example: baking soda gives off carbon dioxide when exposed to vinegar.

Chemical Properties of Matter Combustibility: Ability of a substance to explode. A measure of how easily substance will set on fire. Examples: gasoline, hydrogen gas, and alcohol.