Examples of Physical Properties

Changes can be categorized into physical and chemical. The matter is made up of tiny particles and has both the properties which are;

A chemical property is defined as the characteristic of a substance that can be observed in a chemical reaction.

For example heat of combustion, toxicity, acidity, reactivity etc.

A Physical Property is defined as the characteristic of a substance that can be observed without changing the chemical nature of the substance such as its size, state of matter, colour, mass, density etc. Some other physical properties include solubility, melting and boiling points etc.

Classification for Physical Properties

There are two classes of physical properties which are;

1. Extensive Property

2. Intensive Property

1. Extensive Property

Extensive properties are those properties that depend on the size of the sample.

Shape, volume and mass are extensive properties. The properties like length, mass weight and volume that not only depend on the size but also depend on the quantity of the matter.

For instance, if we have two boxes made up of the same material one has the capacity of 6 litres and the other has the capacity of 12 litres then the box with 12-litre capacity will have more amount of matter as compared to that of the 6-litre box.

2. Intensive Property

Intensive properties are those properties that do not depend on the size or amount of matter in the sample.

Temperature, pressure and density are some of the examples of intensive properties other examples include colour, melting and boiling points as they will not change with the change in size as well as quantity of matter.

The density of 1 litre of water or 1000 litre of water will remain the same as it is an intensive property.

Physical Change

Physical change takes place without any changes in the molecular composition of the substance. The same molecule is present in the substance throughout the changes.

Physical changes are related to the physical properties of a substance which are solid liquid and gas.

During physical change the composition and the chemical nature of matter are not changed chemical property is not affected by the physical change of a substance.

The physical change includes a change in colour, solubility, change in the state of matter etc.

Examples of physical change include melting an ice cube, dissolving sugar and water. Boiling water is also an example of physical change because the water vapour has the same molecular formula as that of liquid water.

Use of Physical Properties

Physical property is used to determine the appearance, texture, colour etc. of a substance thus, these physical properties are important as they help us to differentiate between different compounds, unlike chemical properties which help us to differentiate between various compounds only when a new substance is formed from a given substance by chemical reactions.

Examples of Physical Properties

A few examples of the physical property of matter comprise of;

• Malleability occurs when metal is moulded into thin sheets, for instance, silver is shiny metal and it can be moulded into thin sheets.

• Hardness which is another physical property helps to determine how the element can be used. For Example; Carbon in diamonds is very hard whereas carbon in graphite is very soft.

• Melting and boiling point is the physical property that is unique identifiers, especially of compounds

• Melting Point: When the solid matter is heated it ultimately melts or changes into its liquid state. The ice is a solid form of water that melts at 0 ^oC or 32 ^oF and changes to its liquid state that is water or H2O.

• Boiling Point: When the liquid matter is heated further it ultimately boils or vaporizes into its gaseous state. Liquid water boils and changes into gaseous molecules or water vapour at a temperature of 100 ^oC.

• Density implies the weight of the substance

Density is defined as mass divide by volume.

Density = Mass/Volume

• Colour is another physical reflective property of the given material. For example; Rusting of iron.

• Volume is referred to as a three-dimensional space that is occupied by a matter.

• Mass is one of the most significant fundamental property of an object and is defined as the measure of the amount of matter that is present in a body or substance.

• Weight is defined as the measure of the force of gravity acting on an object.