Final answer:
A physical property is a characteristic of matter that can be observed or measured without altering its chemical composition, such as density and color. Physical properties can also be observed during physical changes like melting or freezing, but the substance's chemical identity remains the same.
Step-by-step explanation:
Physical Properties of Matter
A physical property is a characteristic of matter that can be observed or measured without changing the substance's chemical composition. Examples of physical properties include density, color, hardness, melting points, boiling points, and electrical conductivity. Some of these properties, like color and density, can be observed without changing the physical state of the matter.
Other physical properties might be apparent during a physical change, which involves a change in the state or properties of matter without altering the chemical identities of the substances contained within the matter. Examples of physical changes include the melting of wax, the dissolution of sugar in coffee, and the condensation of steam into water.
Intensive properties, such as density and color, do not depend on the amount of the matter. Understanding these properties and how they can be measured is a fundamental aspect of chemistry and the physical sciences.