1. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

2. Scientists describe, compare, and classify substances by their physical properties. These properties include color, texture, hardness, density, and whether or not a substance is attracted by a magnet.

3. A characteristic of a substance that you can observe without changing it into a different substance is called a physical property.
Let’s get physical!

4. Color
Color is a physical property that you can observe by looking at a substance.

5. Malleability
Can the object be pounded or rolled into thin sheets without shattering?

6. Luster
How does an object
reflect light?

7. Examples: Shiny – a new penny Dull – an old penny Earthy – rock, dirt
Waxy – candle, crayon
Metallic – chair legs, trash can

8. Conductivity
Does the object conduct
electricity or heat?

9. Ability to conduct heat or electricity
Copper and iron conduct heat well, but plastic and rubber do not. What do you know about substances that easily conduct heat and electricity?

10. Semi-Conductor
These substances can conduct electric current under some conditions but not under other conditions.

11. Magnetic
Is the object attracted to a
magnet?

12. Magnetic or Not?
Iron, cobalt, and nickel are substances attracted by a magnet.
Steel is a mixture of metals made with iron, so paper clips and staples are attracted to magnets.
Glass, plastic, wood, and rubber are some examples of substances not attracted to magnets.

13. Hardness
Scientists often describe minerals by their hardness. Talc is a very soft mineral. You can easily scratch it with your fingernail. Diamond is the hardest mineral. You can’t scratch it with a steel blade or piece of glass.

14. Texture
How does the surface of
the object look or feel?

15. Ways we talk about texture…
pillow cactus bowling ball
soft sharp smooth

16. Relative Density – Does it Float or Sink?
Does the object float on water or sink in water?

17. Density
The density of a substance is the mass of that substance in a certain volume or how closely packed the atoms are.

19. Flexibility
Does the object bend
easily?
F l e x i b l e

20. Are glass and concrete flexible?
Flexibility - Metals such as copper, gold, and silver are so flexible, they can be bent and hammered flat without breaking.
Are glass and concrete flexible?

21. Talking about flexibility…
none poor
good
excellent

22. Solid, liquid, or gas
When you describe something as a solid, liquid, or gas, you are describing a physical property. The temperature at which a substance changes into a solid, liquid, or gas is also a physical property.

23. In your journal, write down three ways you can use physical properties to describe
aluminum foil

24. Lesson Review…
Which of these is the name for a characteristic of a substance that you can observe without changing it into a different substance?
Chemical property
Physical property
Mechanical property
Electrical circuit