ES 322

Activity 2.1
Identifying Properties of Materials

Materials are classified as either physical or chemical. Physical properties are variables that
can be measured without changing the identity of the substance being observed. These are
also the properties related to the state (gas, liquid, or solid) or appearance of a material. On
the other hand, chemical properties are variables associated with the types of chemical
changes that a substance undergoes.

To best identify whether the property observed is either physical or chemical, we can use the
following flowchart below:
Name: Signature:
Course & Year:
Activity 2.1
Properties of Materials
Using the flowchart, identify whether the statement defines a physical (P) or chemical (C)
property. If property is physical, identify whether property is intensive (I) or extensive (E).
Write PI, PE, or C on the black spaces provided for each item.

____ 1. When exposed in air, copper turns green.

____ 2. Alnico is a magnetic alloy.
____ 3. Sodium metal with water causes explosion.
____ 4. Copper is a conductor of electricity.
____ 5. Rust is formed from exposure of iron to oxygen.
____ 6. The boiling point of battery acid is high.
____ 7. The noble gas Argon in air is not very reactive.
____ 8. Silver jewelry tarnishes and turns dark.
____ 9. Oxygen is odorless and colorless.
____ 10. Advanced ceramics have very low densities.
____ 11. The mass of the graphene sample is very small.
____ 12. Gold is non-flammable.
____ 13. Diamond is a very hard substance.
____ 14. Mercury is a liquid.
____ 15. Polyethylene is formed from the polymerization of ethylene.
____ 16. Cadmium is soluble in water.
____ 17. Aluminum is a ductile metal.
____ 18. The length of the carbon nanorod is the size of an index finger.
____ 19. Wood is combustible.
____ 20. Glass is transparent.