PROPERTIES OF MATTER

6th Grade Matter Unit

Characteristic Properties

The properties that are most useful in identifying a substance are its characteristic properties.

Remember the difference between physical and chemical properties.

Physical properties can be observed! (with your eyes!) IDENTITY OF SUBSTANCE DOES NOT CHANGE!

You can observe chemical properties only in situations in which the identity of the substance could change.

Types of PropertiesPhysical: properties

that can be observed without changing the IDENTITY of the matter

A physical property is a property or characteristic of and object or substance that can be observed, described, and measured without changing the matter.

Chemical: property of a substance that changes it into a NEW substance (changes the identity of the substance)

Biological: properties of that distinguish living from nonliving matter (growing, moving, reproduce, breathing, responding)

What are physical properties? A physical property is a property or

characteristic of and object or substance that can be observed, described, and measured without changing the matter.

Mass

Definition:

The amount of matter

Example:

Triple beam balance to measure

Measured in gram units

Volume

Definition:

how much space the matter takes up

Example: Irregular

objects: Water displacement

Regular objects use measurement

Liters or m3

1ml = 1cm3

Density

Definition:

Mass per unit volume

Example: D=M/V g/l, g/ml, or

g/cm3 Lead is used for

fishing weights because it is more dense than water

More information about density... Density = The amount of matter

in a given space or volume

Density = m Mass

v Volume

More information about density... Most substances have a unique density:Water = 1.00 g/mLGold = 19.32 g/mL(See page 13 in your book for a bigger list)

Density < 1 - The object will float in water Density > 1 – The object will sink in water

The Magic Triangle

Answers are expressed in g/cm3

or g/mL

State

Definition:

The form in which matter exists: solid, liquid, gas, or plasma

Ice = Solid Water = Liquid Helium = Gas Lightning =

Plasma

Important TemperaturesMelting Point: The temperature when a

solid becomes a liquid.Boiling Point: The temperature when a

liquid becomes a gas.Freezing Point: The temperature when a

liquid becomes a solid.Condensation Point: The temperature

when a gas becomes a liquid.

State

Color

Definition: The ability to

reflect color

Example: Apples – reflect red

or green light Dog – white with

black spots Hair – blonde or

black Berries – black, red,

blue Smoke – white or

black

Odor

Definition:

The smell or non smell of matter

Odorless, flowery, spicy, nauseating, sweet

ClarityDefinition: The ability for light to pass

through matter Transparent: all light passes

through Translucent: some light passes

through Opaque: no light passes through

Luster

Definition:

The ability to reflect light

Shiny: more reflection

Dull: less reflection

Form

Definition:

The structure in the matter

Regular: patterned, cellular, crystalline

Irregular – no pattern

Texture

Definition:

Describing the surface of the matter

Examples of textures:

Rough - Smooth - Sharp - Soft - Hard - Bumpy -

Brittleness

Definition:

The ability to break or shatter easily

Example:

Thermal Conductivity

Definition:

The ability to transfer thermal energy (heat) to something else

Example:

Coffee in a special cup to prevent heat transfer to our hands

Electrical Conductivity

Definition:

The ability to conduct electricity (the atoms allow their electron to move or flow)

Example:

Metals and non metals

Conductors – good conductivity

Insulators – no conductivity

Viscosity

Definition:

The ability for matter to flow

Example:

Viscous and non- viscous

Syrup, oil, water all have different viscosities (ml/s)

Hardness

Definition:

The ability to resist scratching

The Mohs Hardness Scale:

1 talc 2 gypsum 3 calcite 4 fluorite 5 apatite 6 orthoclase 7 quartz 8 topaz 9 corundum 10 diamond

Malleability

Definition:

The ability to be pounded into thin sheets

Example:

Aluminum can be pounded flat to make aluminum foil

Ductility

Definition:

The ability to be drawn into thin wires

Example:

Copper is used to make wires

Example:

Drink mix dissolves in water or sugar dissolves in coffee

Solubility

Definition:

The ability for one substance to dissolve into another substance

Physical Changes

A physical change is a change that affects one or more physical properties of a substance.

Physical changes do not form new substances! EX: ice melting or sugar dissolving

Physical changes are easy to undo.

Chemical Properties

property of a substance that changes it into a NEW substance (changes the identity of the substance)

Chemical properties describe a substance based on its ability to change into a new substance with different properties.

Chemical properties cannot be observed with your senses.

Chemical properties aren’t as easy to observe as physical properties.

Examples of chemical properties: flammability and reactivity

Chemical Properties

property of a substance that changes it into a NEW substance (changes the identity of the substance)

Chemical properties describe a substance based on its ability to change into a new substance with different properties.

Chemical properties cannot be observed with your senses. Chemical properties aren’t as easy to observe as physical

properties. Examples of chemical properties: flammability and

reactivity Ex: wood burns to form ash and smoke

Chemical Properties

Chemical Changes

A chemical change occurs when one or more substances are changed into entirely new substances with different properties.

You can observe chemical properties only when a chemical change might occur!

Examples of chem. changes:

baking a cake

rusting

Clues to chemical changes

Color change Fizzing or bubbling (gas production) Heat Production of light, sound, or odor.

Chemical changes are not usually reversible!