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. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Facebook Twitter 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. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on January 23, 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 chemicals Toxicity Coordination number Flammability Enthalpy of formation Heat of combustion Oxidation states Chemical stability Types of chemical bonds that will form More 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. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Chemical Properties of Matter." ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/chemical-properties-of-matter-608337. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2021, February 16). Chemical Properties of Matter. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/chemical-properties-of-matter-608337 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Chemical Properties of Matter." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/chemical-properties-of-matter-608337 (accessed June 10, 2023). copy citation