What are Physical and Chemical properties?
http://www.iun.edu/~cpanhd/C101webnotes/matter-and-energy/properties.html
Physical properties are characteristics of a substance that can be observed or measured without changing its chemical composition. These properties include color, texture, shape, density, melting point, boiling point, conductivity, and so on. Physical properties describe how a substance looks, feels, or behaves under certain conditions. For example, if you observe that a substance is silver-colored, has a smooth texture, and melts at a certain temperature, you are describing its physical properties.
Chemical properties, on the other hand, describe how a substance interacts or reacts with other substances to form new substances. These properties include flammability, reactivity, acidity or basicity, stability, and so on. Chemical properties are related to the composition and structure of a substance at the molecular level. By studying chemical properties, we can understand how substances interact with each other and how chemical reactions occur.
To determine the physical and chemical properties of a substance, you can perform various experiments and tests. Here are some ways to get this information:
1. Observation: By visually examining a substance, you can gather information about its color, texture, shape, and other physical properties. This can be done simply by looking at the substance and taking note of its appearance.
2. Measurement: Physical properties like density, melting point, boiling point, conductivity, etc., can be measured using appropriate equipment and techniques. For example, a balance can be used to measure mass, a thermometer can be used to measure temperature, and a conductivity meter can be used to measure electrical conductivity.
3. Chemical tests: To determine chemical properties, you can perform chemical tests. These tests involve exposing the substance to other chemicals or conditions and observing any chemical reactions or changes that occur. For example, you can test the flammability of a substance by trying to ignite it or test its acidity by adding it to an indicator solution.
In summary, physical properties describe how a substance looks, feels, or behaves, while chemical properties describe how it interacts with other substances. These properties can be determined through observation, measurement, and chemical tests.