GCSE CHEMISTRY - What are Chemical Properties? - What are Physical Properties?

Chemical and Physical Properties.

What are Chemical Properties?

The phrase "chemical properties" describes the way that
an element or compound reacts chemically with other substances.

The chemical properties are determined by
the number of electrons in the outer shell of the atom.
This is the same as an elements group number in the periodic table.

What are Physical Properties?

The physical properties of an element or compound (any material) are

1) Melting and boiling point. 2) Density.

3) Conduction of Electricity.

4) The size of an atom, ion or molecule, and its rate of diffusion.

5) Strength, stiffness, hardness and elasticity.

Strength is a measure of the amount of force needed
to pull a material apart (called tensile strength)
or push it until it is squashed (called compressive strength).

Stiffness is a measure of the amount of force needed
to change the shape of an object by bending it.
When the force is removed the object returns to its original shape.
This is an example of elastic deformation.

Hardness is a measure of the amount of force needed
to change the shape of an object by bending or scratching it.
When the force is removed the object does not return to its original shape.
This is an example of permanent deformation.
The word hardness is also used to mean
something completely different when describing water.

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