203k views
1 vote
What determines the properities of a substance?

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

Properties of a substance are determined by its physical and chemical properties and its molecular structure.

Step-by-step explanation:

Properties of a substance are determined by both its physical and chemical properties. Physical properties are characteristics that can be measured without changing the composition of the substance, such as mass, color, and volume. Chemical properties describe how a substance reacts to form new substances, such as its ability to burn or corrode.

Additionally, the structure of a substance, which refers to the size, geometry, and nature of the atoms that make up the substance, plays a role in determining its properties. The arrangement of atoms affects properties like melting point, boiling point, and solubility.

For example, hydrogen has the chemical property of being able to ignite and explode, while metals in general have the chemical property of reacting with acids. Water vapor, liquid water, and ice all have the same chemical properties, but their physical properties differ due to differences in their molecular structures.

User Intathep
by
8.3k points