Physical Change - Physical Property
Comparing and contrasting physical change and properties
Physical Properties
Physical properties can be seen without having to do anything to the observed object. In order to observe and describe matter, physical properties are used. In order for the physical property to be observed, there is no need to change the molecular and or chemical state of the object.
Examples of Physical Properties
Odor
A physical property of these onions is the odor it gives off, everyone knows how bad onions smell!
Texture
A physical property is how this sand paper has a really rough texture, I wouldn't rub it on my face!
Color
The most commonly used physical property of an object is color. This ball has a pure red color.
Physical Change
A physical change is defined as a change taking place without changing its composition. The element or compound stays the same throughout the experiment. A physical change is a direct correlation to physical properties. For example if you have a 1ft piece of wood and were to cut it in half, that means the physical change is it got smaller by 6 inches. Some other examples of a physical change is boiling water. Even the the water is boiling and turning into a gas, it still the same composition of 1 oxygen and 2 hydrogen.
Examples of Physical Changes
Breaking
Although there are now two pieces of pencil, there was no change in molecules, making it a physical change.
Folding
Although the paper looks different than before, it is still the exact same molecules.
Melting freezing and evaporating
Although these 3 things feel and look very different,they'd all composed of the same molecules,
Differences between Physical Change and Physical Properties
Even though a physical change and physical property have there similarities, they also have their differences. A physical property is something that can be measured. For example if you have a piece of wood that's 1ft. The physical property is its 1ft. Why? Because it can be measured. A physical change is keeping the same composition. If you have a piece of wood that's 1ft, and if you were to cut it. The composition would still be the same. Why? Because you didn't add anything to the wood that would change its original composition