Characteristic & Non-Characteristic Properties

What are “Characteristics” Question: What do we mean when we talk about the characteristics of something or somebody?

Characteristic Properties A characteristic property is a physical or chemical property that is unique to a particular substance. It can be used to identify a substance.

Characteristic Properties Examples Density: The amount of matter in an object, which is calculated by divided the mass by the volume Magnetism: The force of attraction between a magnet and a magnetic object

Characteristic Properties Examples (cont.) Solubility: A measure of how well a substance can dissolve in another substance. The Solute: the substance that is dissolved The Solvent: the substance that the solute dissolves The Solution: the result of mixing a solute and a solvent

Characteristic Properties Examples (cont.) Melting Point: The temperature at which a substance changes from a solid to a liquid Boiling Point: The temperature at which a substance changes from a liquid to a gas

Non-Characteristic Properties A non-characteristic property is a physical or chemical property that is not unique to one particular substance. It could be used to describe many substances

Non-Characteristic Properties Examples Temperature Mass Shape Colour

Example: The English Oak Density = 720 kg/m3 Light yellow to Medium brown in colour 25-30 m tall Characteristic Property Non-Characteristic Property Non-Characteristic Property

Temperature In science temperature is measured in degrees Celsius (°C) or sometimes in degrees Kelvin (K) To measure temperature we use a thermometer

Important Temperatures Freezing Point of Water: 0°C Liquid water will freeze to solid ice at 0°C Melting Point of Ice: 0°C Solid ice will melt to liquid water at 0°C Boiling Point of Water: 100°C Liquid water will change into a gas at 100°C These are all examples of Physical Changes

Physical vs. Chemical Properties and Changes Physical Properties: These can be observed or measured without changing the make-up of the matter of the object. These properties can be used to describe the object.

Physical Properties Include: Appearance Texture Color Odor Melting point Boiling point Density Solubility

Physical Changes Physical Changes: These are changes that relate to the physical properties. There is no change to the chemical make-up during a physical change.

Examples of Physical Changes Ice melting Clay being modeled into a new shape Butter melting on toast Paper is cut in half Water evaporates from the surface of the ocean A beach ball deflates

Chemical Properties Chemical Property: A chemical property becomes evident during a chemical reaction. This is because it only becomes apparent when the object is chemically changed. A chemical property cannot be determined by simply viewing or touching the object

Chemical Changes Chemical changes: These are changes that change the substance or object into something different or new. These changes are also irreversible.

Examples of Chemical Changes Explosion of fireworks Nail rusts Bread becomes toast Milk goes sour You digest food Paper on fire

The 5 Signs of a Chemical Change A chemical change has happened if 1) A gas or solid (precipitate) is produced 2) There is a colour change 3) Heat is created or absorbed 4) A light is given off 5) An odour is produced