Chemical properties of matter are characteristics that describe how a substance changes into a new substance through a chemical reaction. They are observable only when a chemical change occurs.
In other words, you can only observe a chemical property when the substance's chemical identity is altered. Unlike physical properties (like color or density), which can be observed without changing the substance, chemical properties relate to how a substance reacts with other substances.
Key Aspects of Chemical Properties:
- Observed Through Chemical Change: The property is revealed only when the substance undergoes a chemical transformation.
- Describes Reactivity: Indicates how readily a substance participates in chemical reactions.
- Leads to New Substances: Chemical changes result in the formation of entirely new substances with different properties.
Examples of Chemical Properties:
| Property | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Flammability | The ability of a substance to burn or ignite, causing fire or combustion. | Gasoline is highly flammable; it readily ignites in air. |
| Reactivity | The tendency of a substance to undergo chemical reactions. | Sodium is highly reactive with water, producing heat and gas. |
| Corrosivity | The ability of a substance to destroy or damage other materials. | Strong acids can corrode metals. |
| Oxidizing Ability | The capability of a substance to accept electrons from another substance. | Oxygen can oxidize iron, leading to rust formation. |
Distinguishing Chemical from Physical Properties:
The critical difference lies in whether the substance's identity changes. Physical properties (e.g., melting point, boiling point, density) can be observed without altering the substance's composition. Chemical properties require a chemical change to be observed. For instance, observing water boiling (a physical property) still leaves you with water; observing iron rusting (a chemical property) creates iron oxide (rust), a new substance.
In summary, chemical properties define a substance's potential to undergo chemical changes and transform into new substances with different compositions and characteristics. They are essential for understanding and predicting how matter interacts and behaves in various chemical processes.
