Chemical property

Definition

A chemical property is a characteristic of a substance that is observed during a chemical reaction. It describes the ability of a substance to undergo specific chemical changes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Chemical properties include reactivity with other chemicals, flammability, and acidity or basicity.
2. Unlike physical properties, chemical properties can only be observed when a substance undergoes a chemical change.
3. Common examples of chemical properties are oxidation states, types of bonds formed, and heat of combustion.
4. Chemical properties are intrinsic to the material and do not depend on the amount present.
5. Knowing the chemical properties helps in predicting how substances interact in reactions and in understanding their safety and handling.

Review Questions

Related terms

Physical Property: A characteristic that can be observed or measured without changing the composition of the substance.

Reactivity:

The tendency of a substance to engage in chemical reactions.

Combustion:

A high-temperature exothermic reaction between a fuel and an oxidant, often producing heat and light.