Physical Properties

and Changes
 What is Matter?

Matter is anything that takes up space and has mass.

Examples include: air, trees, water, paper, computers, etc.
Matter is not energy, time, thoughts, sunlight, electricity, sound, memories
and other things that do not take up mass or have volume.
The smallest particle of matter is an atom. They are the basic building blocks
of all matter. Atoms are made of particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons.
 Elements, Molecules, and Compounds
An element made up of only one type of atom. It is the simplest
form of matter. Elements are pure substances that cannot be
separated into simpler substances by physical or chemical means.
There are 118 elements arranged in the periodic table of
elements. 92 of these elements are natural.
A molecule forms when two or more atoms join by chemical
bonds. A compound is a molecule that contains at least two
different elements joined by chemical bonds.
All compounds are molecules, but not all molecules are
compounds.
Examples:
It takes two oxygen atoms to form a molecule of oxygen (O2).
A water molecule is formed with one oxygen atom and two
hydrogen atoms (H2O). Because there are two different
elements, a water molecule is also a compound.
 Physical Properties

Defined as a property that can be observed without changing the identity of

the substance
Most common properties:
States
Density
Boiling point
Melting point
Solubility
 States
Solid
Particles are tightly packed together vibrating about a fixed position.
Definite shape and definite volume
Liquid
Particles are tightly packed together yet far enough to slide past one
another.
Indefinite shape and definite volume
Gas
Particles are very far apart and move
Freely.
Indefinite shape and indefinite
volume
 Density

The amount of matter in something is called mass.

Volume is the amount of space something takes up.
Density is the quantity per unit volume (compactness of a
substance).
When molecules of matter are more tightly packed together,
the density is greater.
When molecules of matter are spread far apart, the density is
less.
 Boiling & Melting Point
Boiling point is the temperature at Melting point is the temperature at
which a liquid boils and turns into gas. which a solid melts and turns into a
liquid.
Water: 100C Water: 0C
Iron: 2862C Iron: 1538C
Mercury: 357C Mercury: -39C
Nitrogen: -196C Nitrogen: -210C
 Solubility
The property of being able to dissolve (soluble)
Solute: substance that is dissolved in another substance
Solvent: ability to dissolve other substances, typically water
Solution (solute + solvent) is homogeneous, meaning it appears as a single
substance.

Solute: lemon juice & sugar

Solvent: water
Solution lemonade
 Other Examples Include
Viscosity: resistance to flow
Water has low viscosity
Honey has high viscosity
Conductivity: ability to allow heat to
flow
Metal has high conductivity
Wood has poor conductivity
Malleability: ability to be hammered
into a thin sheet
 Separation Methods

Physical properties are used to separate mixtures.

Two common methods:
Filtration: process that separates materials based
on the size of their particles
Distillation: process that separates substances in a
solution based on their boiling points
 Physical Changes
A change on the appearance without changing the composition of the
material
Occurs when the appearance of a substance changes, but chemically the
substance is the same
Can be reversible or irreversible
Physical changes could include a change in:
Texture, shape, size, color, odor, volume, mass, weight, and density
 Examples Include
Evaporation
Molding a clay ball
Freezing liquid to a solid
Dissolving
Tearing
Changing size/shape
Melting
Cutting
Shredding
Mixing