Chemical Property Examples in Chemistry

Start with the recap, study the fully worked examples, then use the practice problems to check your understanding of Chemical Property.

This page combines explanation, solved examples, and follow-up practice so you can move from recognition to confident problem-solving in Chemistry.

Concept Recap

A characteristic that describes a substance's ability to undergo a chemical change and form new substances.

Properties you can only discover by trying to react the substance — they describe what it can become, not what it looks like.

Read the full concept explanation →

How to Use These Examples

  • Read the first worked example with the solution open so the structure is clear.
  • Try the practice problems before revealing each solution.
  • Use the related concepts and background knowledge badges if you feel stuck.

What to Focus On

Core idea: Chemical properties predict how a substance will behave in chemical reactions.

Common stuck point: You must change the substance to observe a chemical property — just looking at it isn't enough.

Worked Examples

Example 1

easy
Define a chemical property and give three examples.

Solution

  1. 1
    A chemical property describes how a substance reacts with other substances or changes into new substances.
  2. 2
    Examples: flammability (ability to burn), reactivity with acid, and ability to rust (oxidize).
  3. 3
    These properties can only be observed when the substance undergoes a chemical change.

Answer

\text{Chemical properties: flammability, reactivity with acid, ability to rust}
Unlike physical properties, chemical properties cannot be determined without altering the substance's identity. Observing a chemical property always involves a chemical reaction.

Example 2

medium
A student places a piece of iron in water and observes it slowly forming a reddish-brown coating over several days. Is this demonstrating a physical or chemical property? Explain what is happening at the molecular level.

Practice Problems

Try these problems on your own first, then open the solution to compare your method.

Example 1

medium
Why can flammability only be classified as a chemical property and never as a physical property?

Example 2

hard
Gold does not tarnish in air and does not react with most acids. Silver tarnishes when exposed to sulfur compounds in air. Compare the chemical properties of gold and silver, and explain why gold is preferred for long-lasting jewelry.
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Background Knowledge

These ideas may be useful before you work through the harder examples.

matterphysical property