Physical properties can be observed without changing the substance's composition and include characteristics like color, texture, conductivity, magnetism, and state of matter. Color, texture, and other tactile qualities can be observed through our senses of sight and touch, while conductivity, solubility, and other behavior-based properties require tools to measure. Common examples are that metals like copper and iron can conduct heat well while plastics and wood do not, and substances like sugar and salt readily dissolve in water whereas sand does not.
2. Physical Properties of Matter
• A physical property is a feature that you
can observe with your senses or measure
with a tool.
• You can observe physical properties
without changing it into a different kind
of matter.
3. Observing with your senses
• Color – you use your sense of sight to
observe color
• Iron & copper are both metals.
• Iron is dark gray, copper is orangish
brown.
• Color helps tell them apart
4. Observing with your senses
• Texture – the way a surface
feels, smooth vs. rough, using your sense
of touch.
• Some surfaces are
smooth, waxy, grainy, soft, powdery, grea
sy.
5. Observing with your senses
• You can also use senses of
hearing, smell, and taste to observe
physical properties. (Don’t use taste
unless safe to do so)
• Sugar and salt look similar, taste helps
tell them apart.
6. Observing with your senses
• Some properties describe how a
substance acts.
• Conductor – conducts or transfers heat
• A good conductor lets heat pass through
it easily.
7. Observing with your senses
• Metals such as copper, silver, and iron
conduct heat well
• Plastic, wood, rubber, and glass are not
good conductors.
• Many substances that conduct heat also
conduct electricity well.
8. Observing with your senses
• Magnetism is another observable act.
• You can also observe whether a
substance dissolves in water.
• To dissolve means to mix evenly into a
liquid, when it dissolves it breaks into
tiny pieces and seems to dissappear
9. Observing with your senses
• Sugar and salt dissolve well.
• If you stir sand in water it does not
dissolve well.
10. Observing with your senses
• A substances state of matter can also be
observed.
• Heating or cooling can cause it to change
from one state to another
• ice – water – water vapor
