2 Physical vs Chemical Properties

Big Ideas

• In this skill we will learn the difference between physical and chemical properties of matter.
• When physical properties are measured, the identity of the sample does not change.
• When chemical properties are measured, the identity of the sample changes.

Examples

• Hardness (ability to resist scratching) is a physical property because when an object is scratched it does not change the identity of an object.
• Flamabillity (how easily a substance sets fire) is a chemical property because when an object burns it undergoes a chemical reaction and gets used up, meaning that the identity of the sample changes.