Physical Property Definition

Changes can be categorized into physical and chemical. Matter is made up of tiny particles and has both physical and chemical properties.

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.

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.

The physical property of matter also includes Mellability which 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.

Carbon in diamond 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.

Following are the most common physical properties that are used in selecting materials or substances Density implies the weight of the substance. Density is defined as mass divide by volume.

Melting point is defined as the minimum temperature required for the solid material to change into a liquid.

Colour is the reflective property of a material Boiling point is defined as the minimum temperature required for a liquid to change into a gas.

Physical Property Classification

There are two classes of physical properties which are

1. Extensive Physical Property

2. Intensive Physical Property

1. Extensive Physical 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 6-litre box.

2. Intensive Physical Property

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

Temperature, pressure and density is 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.

To identify a physical change we have to look for a phase change for example if we freeze water into solid ice we can still melt the water again.

Physical Property Uses

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.