Science, Tech, Math › Science Examples of Physical Properties of Matter - Comprehensive List Share Flipboard Email Print scotspencer/Getty Images 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 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 AbsorptionAlbedoAreaBrittlenessBoiling pointCapacitanceColorConcentration D-F DensityDielectric constantDuctilityDistributionEfficacyElectric chargeElectrical conductivityelectrical impedanceElectrical resistivityElectric fieldElectric potentialEmissionFlexibilityFlow rateFluidityFrequency I-M InductanceIntrinsic impedanceIntensityIrradianceLengthLocationLuminanceLusterMalleabilityMagnetic fieldMagnetic fluxMassMelting pointMomentMomentum P-W PermeabilityPermittivityPressureRadianceResistivityReflectivitySolubilitySpecific heatSpinStrengthTemperatureTensionThermal conductivityVelocityViscosityVolumeWave 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).