Examples of Physical Properties of Matter - Comprehensive List

Electricity
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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.
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Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Updated May 11, 2019

This is an extensive list of physical properties of matter. These are characteristics that you can observe and measure without altering a sample. Unlike chemical properties, you do not need to change the nature of a substance to measure any physical property it might have. 

You may find this alphabetical list to be especially useful if you need to cite examples of physical properties.

A-C

  • Absorption
  • Albedo
  • Area
  • Brittleness
  • Boiling point
  • Capacitance
  • Color
  • Concentration

D-F

I-M

  • Inductance
  • Intrinsic impedance
  • Intensity
  • Irradiance
  • Length
  • Location
  • Luminance
  • Luster
  • Malleability
  • Magnetic field
  • Magnetic flux
  • Mass
  • Melting point
  • Moment
  • Momentum

P-W

  • Permeability
  • Permittivity
  • Pressure
  • Radiance
  • Resistivity
  • Reflectivity
  • Solubility
  • Specific heat
  • Spin
  • Strength
  • Temperature
  • Tension
  • Thermal conductivity
  • Velocity
  • Viscosity
  • Volume
  • Wave impedance

Physical vs. Chemical Properties

Chemical and physical properties are related to chemical and physical changes. A physical change only alters the shape or appearance of a sample and not its chemical identity. A chemical change is a chemical reaction, which rearranges a sample on a molecular level.

Chemical properties encompass those characteristics of matter that can only be observed by changing the chemical identity of a sample, which is to say by examining its behavior in a chemical reaction. Examples of chemical properties include flammability (observed from combustion), reactivity (measured by readiness to participate in a reaction), and toxicity (demonstrated by exposing an organism to a chemical).