2.  Investigating the properties of a sample of matter gives you important clues about its nature and composition, or makeup

3. Color  These leaves appear green because they reflect green light back to your eyes.

4. Luster  Most metals, such as copper, silver, and gold, have a shiny, appearance, or luster.

5. Texture  Common rocks are similar, but they have different textures.  Slate has a smooth, fine-grained texture.  Granite has a coarse, large grain texture.

6.  Many other properties of matter can be observed by using simple tests and measurements.

7. Hardness  The relative resistance of a metal, a mineral, or other material to scratching.  Measured by the Mohs scale

9. Reactivity  Baking soda reacts strongly with vinegar, and less strongly with water.

10. Magnetism  Some types of matter, including iron, nickel, and cobalt, are affected by magnetic fields.

11. Conductivity  Electricity flows easily through copper wires  Copper is a conductor (Property of metals!)  In contrast, the plastic covering on wires does not conduct electricity at all.  Plastic is an insulator.

12. Malleability  Clay pottery shatters when hit with a hammer because it is brittle.  Some metals can be shaped by hammering because they are malleable.

13. Ductility  Most metals are ductile (they can be pulled into wire)

14. Transparent  Objects that transmit almost all the light that strikes them (they do reflect some light from their surface)  Examples – clear water, clear glass

15. Translucent  Materials that transmit light and scatter it are translucent  An image is difficult to see through  The image is unclear and lacks details  Example – wax paper

16. Opaque  Materials that block the transmission of light  An opaque object absorbs most of the light that strikes it  You can’t see through opaque objects