Final answer:
Physical properties of matter, like color and mass, can be observed without changing the substance's composition, while chemical properties, such as flammability, involve a change in composition.
Step-by-step explanation:
Physical properties of matter can be determined without changing composition, while chemical properties of matter must change the composition of matter. Physical properties include characteristics such as size, shape, color, and mass, which can be observed or measured without altering the substance's identity. In contrast, chemical properties describe how matter changes its chemical structure or composition, such as flammability and susceptibility to corrosion; observing these properties involves a chemical change.
Understanding the distinct differences between these properties helps scientists and students describe and classify matter effectively. Physical changes, such as melting or boiling, do not alter the composition of a substance, while chemical changes produce new substances with different compositions, like rust forming from the oxidation of iron.