Grade 10 → Matter and its properties ↓
Physical and chemical properties of matter
Matter is everything that has mass and occupies space. Everything around us is made of matter, whether it is solid, liquid or gas. To understand how matter behaves and interacts with other types of matter, it is important to know about its properties. These properties can be classified into two main types: physical properties and chemical properties.
Physical properties of matter
Physical properties are characteristics of matter that can be observed or measured without changing the substance's composition or identity. These properties are more about the appearance or state of matter. Here are some important physical properties with examples and visual explanations:
1. Colour
The color of a substance is a physical property because it can be observed without any change in the substance. For example, sulfur is yellow, while copper is reddish-brown. You can visualize this concept like this:
2. Smell
A substance can be quickly identified by its smell. For example, hydrogen sulfide is known to smell like rotten eggs. Like color, smell can also be identified without changing the substance.
3. Density
Density is the mass per unit volume of a substance. It is calculated using the formula:
Density = Mass / Volume
Gold has a very high density, so it feels heavier than the same size piece of aluminum. Imagine a small piece of gold and a large piece of aluminum. The gold will still weigh more.
4. Melting point and boiling point
These points represent the temperatures at which a substance changes its state. The melting point is where a solid becomes a liquid, and the boiling point is where a liquid turns into a gas.
5. Solubility
Solubility is the ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent. For example, sugar is soluble in water, while sand is not.
Example: Dissolving a teaspoon of salt in a glass of water shows the solubility of salt in water.
6. Rigidity
This property measures a material's resistance to scratching. Diamonds are highly valued because of their hardness.
7. Electrical conductivity
The ability of a substance to conduct electricity. Metals such as copper and aluminum are good conductors.
Chemical properties of matter
Chemical properties describe the ability of a substance to undergo a specific chemical change. Seeing these properties often means that the substance has changed into something else. Here are some essential chemical properties:
1. Reactivity
It determines how a substance reacts with other substances. For example, sodium reacts explosively with water, while gold does not react with water at all.
2. Flammability
The ability of a substance to burn in the presence of oxygen. Gasoline is highly flammable, while water is not.
3. pH
This property tells how acidic or alkaline a substance is. Lemon juice has a low pH, which makes it acidic, while soap has a high pH, which makes it alkaline.
4. Combustion
The process of burning can be a chemical property that results in the emission of heat and light. The combustion of methane is a classic example of this:
CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O + energy
5. Corrosion
This property refers to the gradual destruction of substances, usually metals, by chemical reactions with environmental elements, such as oxygen. An example of this is the rusting of iron.
Comparison of physical and chemical properties
Understanding the difference between these two types of properties is essential to predict the behavior of matter under different conditions. For example, physical properties can be used to identify substances without changing their nature, while chemical properties can predict how a substance will react with others.
Identifying a substance often requires observing both physical and chemical properties. For example, to identify an unknown metal, you could measure its density (a physical property) and then test its reactivity with acids (a chemical property).
Conclusion
Understanding the physical and chemical properties of matter helps us describe, classify and predict how different substances interact and change. This fundamental knowledge is vital for further studies in chemistry and helps solve practical problems in engineering, environmental science and everyday life. By recognising these properties, we can harness the true potential of different materials, contributing to scientific progress and technological innovation.