A chemical property is a characteristic of matter that can be observed and measured only when a chemical reaction occurs. Contrast this with a physical property, which is a characteristic that may be observed and measured without altering the chemical composition of a sample.
Here is a list of several examples of chemical and physical properties.
Examples of Chemical Properties
In order to observe a chemical property, the chemical composition of a sample must be changed by a chemical process or reaction.
- flammability
- toxicity
- enthalpy of formation
- heat of combustion
- oxidation states
- pH
- half-life
- coordination number
- surface tension
- reactivity
- hygroscopy
Examples of Physical Properties
A physical property may be observed without changing the chemical nature of a sample. Any mechanical property you can name is a physical property, including:
- mass
- volume
- density
- color
- temperature
- melting point
- boiling point
- reflectivity
- elasticity
- luster
- permeability
- ductility
- pressure
- viscosity
- strength
- solubility
- electrical charge
- opacity
- hardness