Matter Chemistry Example 2

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 2

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Classify each as a physical or chemical property: (a) boiling point, (b) flammability, (c) color, (d) reactivity with acid.

Solution

  1. 1
    Physical properties can be observed without changing the substance into a different substance.
  2. 2
    Using that rule, boiling point and color are physical properties.
  3. 3
    Flammability and reactivity with acid are chemical properties because they describe how the substance changes in reactions.

Answer

Physical: boiling point, color. Chemical: flammability, reactivity.\text{Physical: boiling point, color. Chemical: flammability, reactivity.}
Physical properties can be measured without altering the substance. Chemical properties can only be observed when the substance undergoes a chemical change.

About Matter

Anything that has mass and takes up space (has volume), existing in different states such as solids, liquids, gases, and plasma.

Learn more about Matter →

More Matter Examples

Example 1 easy

Define matter and give three examples of things that are matter and three that are not.

Example 3 easy

Is air considered matter? Justify your answer.

Example 4 hard

A student claims that heat and light are forms of matter because they can be detected and measured.

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