Physical vs Chemical Properties

TL;DR

Physical properties describe characteristics that do not change the chemical identity of a substance, while chemical properties describe characteristics that do change the chemical identity of a substance.

Transcript

in this video we're going to talk about the difference between physical properties and chemical properties when you think of properties properties are characteristics a physical property describes characteristics that does not change the chemical identity of the substance whereas a chemical property it describes the characteristic that will change ... Read More

Key Insights

• 💱 Physical properties describe characteristics that do not change the chemical identity of a substance.
• 💱 Chemical properties describe characteristics that do change the chemical identity of a substance.
• 💱 Color can be a physical property, but if it changes due to a reaction, it becomes a chemical property.
• 🔥 The ability to burn or react with other substances is a chemical property.
• 💐 The ability to change shape or flow easily is a physical property.
• 👅 Taste is a chemical property that relates to the acidity or basicity of a substance.
• 💆 Density, viscosity, mass, weight, and volume are physical properties that describe the distribution or quantity of matter.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the difference between physical properties and chemical properties?

Physical properties describe characteristics that do not change the chemical identity of a substance, while chemical properties describe characteristics that do change the chemical identity of a substance.

Q: Give examples of physical properties.

Examples of physical properties include boiling point, melting point, freezing point, color, viscosity, density, mass, weight, and volume.

Q: Provide examples of chemical properties.

Examples of chemical properties include flammability, corrosiveness, combustibility, reactivity with other substances, and changes in pH.

Q: How can you differentiate between physical and chemical properties of a substance?

Physical properties do not involve a change in the chemical identity of a substance and describe characteristics like state changes, color, or flowability. Chemical properties, on the other hand, involve a change in the chemical identity of a substance and describe characteristics like reactivity or the ability to undergo a chemical reaction.

Q: Is taste a physical or chemical property?

Taste is a chemical property because it describes the acidity or basicity of a substance based on the reaction that occurs when it interacts with taste receptors in our body.

Q: Give an example of a physical property that can change in different circumstances.

Boiling point is a physical property that can change depending on external conditions like pressure. Different substances have different boiling points, but the boiling point of a substance can vary with changes in altitude or pressure.

Q: Why is density considered a physical property?

Density is considered a physical property because it describes the mass of a substance in relation to its volume. It does not involve a change in the chemical identity of the substance and is consistent regardless of external factors.

Q: How can pH be classified as a chemical property?

pH is a chemical property because it describes the acidity or basicity of a substance, which is determined by the concentration of hydrogen ions. Adjusting the pH can affect how a substance reacts with other elements or compounds.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Physical properties are characteristics that do not change the chemical identity of a substance, such as boiling point, melting point, and freezing point.

• Chemical properties are characteristics that do change the chemical identity of a substance, such as flammability, corrosiveness, and combustibility.

• Properties like color, viscosity, and pH can be either physical or chemical properties depending on whether they describe a reaction or not.