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One of These Things is Not Like the Other!
When you look at matter, there is a wide variety of observations which you can make. Some of the observations are based on the physical properties of what you are observing. Other observations occur based on the chemical properties of the object. Review the table to compare physical and chemical properties.

Properties

Physical

Chemical
  • May refer to any of the following:
    • Size
    • Shape
    • Color
    • State
    • Density
  • May indicate what can be done with the object. Some examples include:
    • Melt
    • Freeze
    • Bend
    • Boil
  • Characteristics that describe how a substance behaves or reacts. Some examples are:
    • Taste (usually not used in science!)
    • Heat content
    • Reaction with other substances
      • Gas production
      • Requires heat energy
      • Gives off heat energy

Examples:

  • The ability of a soap solution to stretch and form a bubble.

Examples:

  • The ability of chemicals to create a fireworks show.
  • The ability of a sugar cube to dissolve in water.
  • The changes that happen to bacon as it is cooked.

     

  • The ability of a bead to float in water.
  • The ability to use fuel in a jetski engine.
  • The ability to create a chemical glow stick.

Analysis:

For each of the following questions, determine if physical property or chemical property is the best answer. When you finish, check your answers by highlighting the box below the questions.

  1. Which of the properties would explain the bounce of a rubber ball?
  2. The ability of a car to burn gasoline is which kind of property?
  3. Which of the properties would explain what happens when you bake a cake?
  4. Which of the properties would describe why a helium balloon rises high in the sky when you let it go.
1. Physical property, 2. Chemical property, 3. Chemical property, 4. Physical property

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Updated August 13, 2005 by: Glen Westbroek

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