Chemical Properties of Matter

Chemical properties are any of the properties of matter that may only be observed and measured by performing a chemical change or chemical reaction. Chemical properties cannot be determined by touching or viewing a sample; the structure of the sample must be altered for the chemical properties to become apparent. Examples of Chemical Properties Here are some examples of chemical properties. Reactivity with other chemicalsToxicityCoordination numberFlammabilityEnthalpy of formationHeat of combustionOxidation statesChemical stabilityTypes of chemical bonds that will formMore examples Uses of Chemical Properties Scientists use chemical properties to predict whether a sample will participate in a chemical reaction. Chemical properties may be used to classify compounds and find applications for them. Understanding a materials chemical properties helps in its purification, separation from other chemicals or in identification in an unknown sample. Chemical Properties Versus Physical Properties While a chemical property is only revealed by the behavior of a substance in a chemical reaction, a physical property may be observed and measured without changing the composition of a sample. Physical properties include color, pressure, length, and concentration.