Final answer:
Matter's physical properties, like size and mass, do not alter its chemical identity, while chemical properties, such as flammability, involve changes in composition. Understanding these helps classify matter and apply the conservation of mass.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter
Matter can be described through its physical and chemical properties. Physical properties are aspects of matter that can be observed or measured without altering the substance's chemical identity. Examples include size, shape, color, and mass. These are often considered when chemists measure properties of substances. Chemical properties, on the other hand, describe how a substance interacts with other substances or changes composition. Flammability is a chemical property as it pertains to a substance's ability to burn, which changes its chemical structure and identity.
Understanding the distinctions between these properties is crucial in chemistry. Physical changes refer to alterations that do not affect the chemical composition of a material, such as changing its state from solid to liquid. Chemical changes involve a substance reacting and forming one or more new substances, which is often accompanied by energy changes. These concepts are significant when discussing conservation of mass and when classifying matter into elements, compounds, and mixtures based on its physical state and composition.