Final answer:
The behavior of a material or substance, such as malleability and electrical conductivity, can indeed be considered a physical property, as they can be observed or measured without changing the substance's chemical identity. Physical properties include both extensive and intensive properties, and are different from chemical properties that describe the potential for chemical change.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, the behavior of a material or substance can indeed be considered a physical property. A physical property is a characteristic of a substance that can be observed or measured without altering the substance's chemical identity. Examples of physical properties include color, density, hardness, malleability, electrical conductivity, as well as melting and boiling points.
Physical properties are divided into extensive and intensive properties. Extensive properties depend on the amount of matter being measured, such as mass and volume, whereas intensive properties do not depend on the amount of matter, such as density and color. Some physical properties, like density, can be observed without changing the physical state of matter, while others, like the melting point of iron, require a physical change to be observed.
Distinguishing between physical and chemical properties is critical. Chemical properties describe a substance's potential to undergo a specific chemical change and form new substances, such as rusting of iron. On the other hand, physical changes do not involve a change in the chemical identity of the substance, like the melting of wax or sugar dissolving in coffee, pointing to the observable behaviors linked to physical properties.