Physical and Chemical Properties
Figure 1. NIST Periodic Table [1]
List of Physical Properties
A physical property of a substance refers to a characteristic that can be observed or measured without altering the chemical composition or identity of the substance. It describes aspects such as color, density, melting and boiling points, solubility, conductivity, hardness, and state of matter. These properties provide essential information about their behavior, appearance, and how they interact with the environment under various conditions.
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Physical Properties |
Definition |
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Appearance |
The appearance of a substance refers to its observable traits or visual attributes. It encompasses qualities such as color, texture, shape, transparency, and any other visible features that can be readily perceived without the need for specialized equipment or analysis. |
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Density |
Density measures how much mass is in a specified volume, showing how tightly particles are packed. Bulk density, specifically for materials like powders or aggregates, calculates mass divided by volume when freely arranged. It's crucial for handling, storing, and transporting such materials due to how it impacts their behavior. |
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Melting Point |
The melting point is the specific temperature at which a substance transitions from a solid phase to a liquid phase. Check Melting Point: Common Materials, Metals, and Elements for more information. |
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Boiling Point |
The boiling point is the specific temperature at which a substance transitions from a liquid phase to a gas phase. Check Boiling Point: Common Materials and Elements for more information. |
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Strength |
Strength refers to a material's capacity to endure applied forces without breaking or deforming permanently. It encompasses various aspects such as yield strength, ultimate strength, and Young's modulus. |
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Ductility |
Ductility refers to a material's ability to undergo significant deformation or elongation without fracturing or breaking. Materials with high ductility, like many metals, can be easily shaped or stretched into various forms without experiencing failure or breakage. |
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Electrical Conductivity |
Electrical conductivity measures how easily a material allows electric current to flow through it, with metals typically exhibiting high conductivity. Electrical resistivity, inversely related to conductivity, gauges a material's ability to impede the flow of electric current, often seen in insulators like rubber or glass. |
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Thermal Conductivity |
Thermal conductivity describes how effectively a material transfers heat energy. It quantifies the rate at which heat passes through a substance, with high thermal conductivity indicating efficient heat transfer, as seen in metals. Materials like insulators have lower thermal conductivity, impeding heat flow, making them useful in applications requiring insulation or heat retention. |
List of Chemical Properties
Chemical properties describe how a substance interacts with other substances to form new substances. These properties involve the substance's behavior in chemical reactions, such as its ability to oxidize, react with acids or bases, or combust. They are inherent to the substance's molecular structure and determine its reactivity and compatibility with other materials.
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Chemical Properties |
Definition |
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Heat of Combustion |
This property refers to the amount of heat released or absorbed when a substance undergoes complete combustion with oxygen. It's a measure of the energy content within a substance and varies based on the chemical composition. |
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Chemical Stability |
It indicates how resistant a substance is to undergo chemical reactions or decompose under specific conditions. Stable substances are less likely to react or decompose spontaneously, while less stable ones may readily undergo reactions or decomposition. |
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Preferred Oxidation State(s) |
This describes the most common or stable oxidation state(s) of an element in its compounds. Elements may exhibit different oxidation states in various compounds, but some elements tend to have specific preferred states based on their electronic configurations. |
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Ability to Corrode |
This property highlights a substance's propensity to deteriorate or undergo corrosion due to chemical reactions to its environment. Corrosion often involves the degradation of materials, especially metals, through reactions with substances like oxygen or moisture, leading to structural damage or degradation over time. |
Reference:
[1] Hanacek, N. (2019, July 25). Periodic Table -- Front (July 2019). The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Retrieved December 25, 2023, from https://www.nist.gov/image/nistperiodictablejuly2019finalfrontjpg
