PHYSICAL PROPERTY Any characteristic of a material that can be observed

or measured without changing the composition of the substances in the material.

THINK/PAIR/SHARE: What are some words that you would use to describe the physical properties of matter?

Investigation: Hold a sheet of newspaper horizontally. Now tear it

in to strips. Repeat, but this time hold the newspaper vertically. Is there a difference in your ability to tear the

newspaper? Why? The molecules are chained together in a line.

It is easier to separate the chains lengthwise than break the chains in half.

EXAMPLE PHYSICAL PROPERTIESProperty DefinitionColor the wavelengths of light matter reflectsConductivity the ability to allow heat and electricity flow

Densityhow tightly packed matter is in a certain amount of space

Durability matter’s resistance to breakageHardness the ability of materials to scratch one anotherLuster the ability of a metal to reflect lightMalleability the ability of a solid to be hammered without breakingMass the amount of matter an object containsOdor the way matter smells

Solubility the ability to dissolve in water

Temperature Changes (BP/MP)

as the temperature increases so does the speed of the particles. Particle speed determines if matter is a solid, liquid, or a gas.

Texture the way matter feels

Transparencythe property that enables light to be transmitted through matter

Viscositya liquid’s resistance to flowing (usually decreases when temperature is increased)

Volume the amount of space occupied by an object

CHEMICAL PROPERTY Any ability a material has to produce change in the

composition of matter. THINK/PAIR/SHARE: What are some words that you would

use to describe the chemical properties of matter? Demonstrations:

Property Definition Example

Flammability the ability to burn in the presence of oxygen

Oxygen Gas

Reactivity the way one type of matter behaves when in comes in contact with another type of matter how readily a substance combines with other substances

Potassium Iodide & Lead Nitrate

Light Production the ability to create light Magnesium

Gas Production the ability to create a gas Baking Soda & Vinegar

Color Change the ability to cause a change in color Bloody Awesome Demo

EXPLAINING MATTER’S PROPERTIES THINK/PAIR/SHARE: Why is matter so different? Why

are there so many different kinds of matter? The properties of matter are determined partially

by how its particles are arranged. For example, the graphite in your pencil is made up of the same particles as a diamond, they are just arranged differently.

THINK/PAIR/SHARE: Can you use the properties of a known substance to help you identify an unknown substance? If so, then how would you do it? Yes, of course you can use the properties of a

known substance to identify and unknown substance!

The first step is to decide which properties to test. Then, carry out the tests on a sample of the unknown. Finally, compare the results with the data reported for known materials.

EXPLAINING MATTER’S PROPERTIES Physical and chemical properties are used to …

identify a material EXAMPLE: Water boils at 100oC at sea level

choose a material for a specific purpose EXAMPLE: Copper is an excellent conductor of electricity

and that’s why we use it for wiring.

to separate the substances in a mixture EXAMPLE: You can pick all the Crunch Berries out of a

cereal bowl because you like them the best!Filtration is a process that separates materials

based on the size of their particles. EXAMPLE: Coffee or tea, Using a strainer

Distillation is a process that separates the substances in a solution based on their boiling points. EXAMPLE: Converting saltwater to freshwater

LET’S PRACTICE

Tools of the Physical Scientist – The Bunsen Burner Lab