PROPERTIES OF PURE SUBSTANCES

What is a property? Information that we use to describe a substance

Non-Characteristic Property A property that is shared by many substances It does NOT allow you to identify it Examples: mass, volume, temperature, color, shape.

Characteristic Property A property that is unique to that one substance or a group of substances Allows you to identify it right away Examples: DNA, boiling point, density

Groups of substances may share the same characteristic properties For example: Acids turn blue litmus paper red Bases turn red litmus paper blue Conductivity Magnetism

Uses The characteristic property of a substance may determine its use Examples: Metals to make pots because they conduct heat well Certain metals are superconductors (electricity) Plastics as insulators Resistant textiles