Chemical vs. Physical Properties

Water boils at 100 degrees Celcius

• Physical Property

• Chemical Property

Answer explanation

This is a physical property because you don't need to change the substance to determine it. It is still water, just in a different form (water vapor).

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Diamonds are capable of cutting glass.

• Physical Property

• Chemical Property

Answer explanation

This is a physical property because you don't need to change the substance to determine it. It is still a diamond after cutting the glass.

Water can be separated by electrolysis into hydrogen and oxygen.

• Physical Property

• Chemical Property

Answer explanation

This is a chemical property because you need to change the substance to determine it. At the end, you no longer have water; you have two new substances: hydrogen and oxygen.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS1-5

Sugar can dissolve in water.

• Physical Property

• Chemical Property

Answer explanation

This is a physical property because you don't need to change the substance to determine it. It is still sugar even after it disolves.

Vinegar reacts with baking soda

• Physical Property

• Chemical Property

Answer explanation

This is a chemical property because you need to change the substance to determine it. At the end of the reaction, you no longer have vinegar and baking soda. You end up with carbon dioxide and water.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS1-5

Yeast acts on sugar and forms carbon dioxide and ethanol.

• Physical Property

• Chemical Property

Answer explanation

This is a chemical property because you need to change the substance to determine it. At the end of the reaction, there is no sugar left. You also have two new substances: carbon dioxide and ethanol.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS1-5

Aluminum has a low density

• Physical Property

• Chemical Property

Answer explanation

This is a physical property because you don't need to change the substance to determine it. It is still aluminum.

Paper is flammable

• Physical Property

• Chemical Property

Answer explanation

This is a chemical property because you need to change the substance to determine it. At the end, you no longer have paper.

Mercury is a liquid at room temperate

• Physical Property

• Chemical Property

Answer explanation

This is a physical property because you don't need to change the substance to determine it. It is still mercury.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Bromine has a red color

• Physical Property

• Chemical Property

Answer explanation

This is a physical property because you don't need to change the substance to determine it. It is still a bromine.