Science, Tech, Math › Science Chemical Properties of Matter Explanation and Examples Share Flipboard Email Print ThoughtCo. Science Chemistry Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. our editorial process Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Updated January 24, 2020 Chemical properties are any of the properties of matter that can be observed and measured only by performing a chemical change or chemical reaction. Chemical properties cannot be determined by touching or viewing a sample; the structure of the sample must be altered for the chemical properties to become apparent. Examples Here are some examples of chemical properties: Reactivity with other chemicalsToxicityCoordination numberFlammabilityEnthalpy of formationHeat of combustionOxidation statesChemical stabilityTypes of chemical bonds that will formMore examples Uses Scientists use chemical properties to predict whether a sample will participate in a chemical reaction. Chemical properties can be used to classify compounds and find applications for them. Understanding a material's chemical properties helps in its purification, separation from other chemicals, or identification in an unknown sample. Chemical Properties Vs. Physical Properties While a chemical property is revealed only by the behavior of a substance in a chemical reaction, a physical property can be observed and measured without changing the composition of a sample. Physical properties include color, pressure, length, and concentration.