Examples of Physical Properties of Matter - Comprehensive List

Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.

This is an extensive list of physical properties of matter. These are characteristics that you can observe and measure without altering a sample. Unlike chemical properties, you do not need to change the nature of a substance to measure any physical property it might have.

You may find this alphabetical list to be especially useful if you need to cite examples of physical properties.

A-C

• Absorption
• Albedo
• Area
• Brittleness
• Boiling point
• Capacitance
• Color
• Concentration

D-F

• Density
• Dielectric constant
• Ductility
• Distribution
• Efficacy
• Electric charge
• Electrical conductivity
• electrical impedance
• Electrical resistivity
• Electric field
• Electric potential
• Emission
• Flexibility
• Flow rate
• Fluidity
• Frequency

I-M

• Inductance
• Intrinsic impedance
• Intensity
• Irradiance
• Length
• Location
• Luminance
• Luster
• Malleability
• Magnetic field
• Magnetic flux
• Mass
• Melting point
• Moment
• Momentum

P-W

• Permeability
• Permittivity
• Pressure
• Radiance
• Resistivity
• Reflectivity
• Solubility
• Specific heat
• Spin
• Strength
• Temperature
• Tension
• Thermal conductivity
• Velocity
• Viscosity
• Volume
• Wave impedance

Physical vs. Chemical Properties

Chemical and physical properties are related to chemical and physical changes. A physical change only alters the shape or appearance of a sample and not its chemical identity. A chemical change is a chemical reaction, which rearranges a sample on a molecular level.

Chemical properties encompass those characteristics of matter that can only be observed by changing the chemical identity of a sample, which is to say by examining its behavior in a chemical reaction. Examples of chemical properties include flammability (observed from combustion), reactivity (measured by readiness to participate in a reaction), and toxicity (demonstrated by exposing an organism to a chemical).

Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Examples of Physical Properties of Matter - Comprehensive List." ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/physical-properties-of-matter-list-608342. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2021, February 16). Examples of Physical Properties of Matter - Comprehensive List. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/physical-properties-of-matter-list-608342 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Examples of Physical Properties of Matter - Comprehensive List." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/physical-properties-of-matter-list-608342 (accessed September 10, 2024).

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