Properties of Matter
Characteristics that allow us to identify and classify matter
Characteristic Property
A property that is always the same no matter what size the sample is
Physical Property
A characteristic that can be observed or measured WITHOUT changing the matter's identity
(Characteristic that can be observed without changing the make-up, or identity, of the matter)
Mass
A measure of the amount of matter in an object
Volume
A measure of the amount of space an object takes up
Density
The amount of matter (mass) in a given space (volume)
The amount of matter in a given volume (mass per unit volume)
State
The physical form in which a substance exists, such as a solid, liquid, or gas
Luster
A description of how shiny an object is
Describes the way light is reflected from a mineral (i.e. metallic, glassy, or dull)
Solubility
The ability of a substance to dissolve in another substance
Solute
The substance that gets dissolved (solid)
Solvent
The substance that does the dissolving (liquid)
The liquid that the solute dissolves in
Solution
When the solute is dissolved in the solvent (liquid)
When solids, liquids, and gases dissolve in water and other liquids they form a solution
Thermal Conductivity
Describes the rate at which a substance transfers heat
A measure of the ability of a material to allow the flow of heat from its warmer surface through the material to its colder surface
Electrical Conductivity
Describes how well a substance allows electricity to flow through it
Measures how easily an electric charge can move through a material
Malleability
The ability of a substance to be rolled or pounded into thin sheets
The ability to be beaten into thin sheets without breaking
The ability to bend or flatten when squeezed; The ability to be pressed or pounded into a thin sheet
Plasticity
The ability of a material to change shape and stay that way. There are two different kinds of plasticity: malleability and ductility
Elasticity
The ability to be stretched and then shrink back/return to its original size and shape
Brittleness
The tendency to shatter into pieces when tapped with a hammer
Ductility
The ability of a substance to be pulled into a wire
The ability to be drawn into a fine wire
The ability to be pulled into a thin strand, like a wire
Viscosity
A measure of a liquid's resistance to flow
Texture
The feel or shape of the surface of an object: the smoothness, roughness, softness, etc.
Melting Point
The temperature at which a substance changes from a solid to a liquid
The temperature at which a substance turns from a solid to a liquid. (The temperature remains constant until ALL of the substance turns into a liquid.)
Boiling Point
The temperature at which a substance changes from a liquid to a gas
The temperature at which a substance turns from a liquid to a gas. (The boiling point is determined by placing a sample amount of a substance into a container, adding heat, and then recor
Magnetism
The ability to attract iron or things made of iron
Physical Change
A change that affects one or more physical properties of a substance WITHOUT changing the identity of the substance
A change that alters the appearance of a substance without changing its composition
A change that happens when matter changes size, shape,
Change of Shape
Folding, bending, tearing, crushing, breaking, cutting, stretching, or any other change related to altering the shape of an object or substance
Weathering
A physical change caused by the effects of water and wind over time
Dissolving
When certain substances dissolve in other substances, a physical change takes place
Change of State
Changing the physical form in which a substance exists, such as changing from a solid to a liquid
Chemical Property
A characteristic that describes matter based on its ability to change into a new kind of matter with different properties
A characteristic that describes a substance's ability to participate in chemical reactions
Flammability
Capable of burning in the presence of oxygen
The ability of a substance to burn
Nonflammability
The inability of a substance to burn
Reactivity
The ability of two or more substances to combine and form one or more new substances with new and different properties
Chemical Change
Occurs when one or more substances are changed into entirely new substances that have new and different properties
A process that involves one or more substances changing into new substances (also referred to as a chemical reaction)
Occurs when the substa
Precipitate
A new solid that forms when two solutions are mixed