Intrinsic and Extrinsic  Properties of Matter

Properties of Matter

Physical properties can be observed/measured without changing the chemical makeup of the substance.�

• You can measure mass without changing the substance.

Chemical properties cannot be observed/measured without changing the chemical makeup of the substance. �

• The only way to observe if something catches on fire easily  is to ignite it on fire. This changes the chemical makeup.

Chemical Properties

There are two main chemical properties we will study this year.

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1. Reactivity - the ability of a substance to react chemically (undergo a chemical reaction) with another substance.

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2. Flammability - the ability of a substance to ignite on fire.

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Intrinsic vs Extrinsic

All properties of matter are considered intrinsic or extrinsic properties. 

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Intrinsic (or characteristic) properties do not depend on the amount of the matter that's present. 

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Extrinsic properties do depend on the amount of matter that's present.

Intrinsic/Characteristic Properties

These physical and chemical properties do not change regardless of how much you have of the substance.

This means that whether you have 1 mL of water or 100 L of water, the characteristic properties do not change.

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Characteristic properties can be used to identify an unknown sample of matter.

Intrinsic/ Characteristic Properties

Some intrinsic properties include:

• State/Phase
• Color
• Taste
• Texture
• Density 
• Solubility (ability to be dissolved in another substance)
• Melting Point/Freezing Point/Boiling Point
• Conductivity (ability to allow the flow of electricity)
• Malleability (ability to be beaten into thin sheets)
• Reactivity
• Flammability

Intrinsic/ Characteristic Properties

Density is a characteristic property!

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Think back to the labs we have done. The density of water stays at 1.0 g/mL regardless of the volume of water you measured. 

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*The density of water can change though depending on temperature, pressure, and altitude. It just doesn't change relative to the amount you have.

Extrinsic Properties

These physical properties are dependent on the size of the sample. 

This means that they will change if the size of the sample is changed. 

Examples include:�

• Mass
• Weight
• Volume

Putting it all together

Look at the two cubes below. Assuming they are made of the same wood, the cube on the right will have a larger mass, volume, and weight.

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However, all intrinsic properties �will be the same for both cubes.

Putting it all together

They will have the same:

• Density
• Flammability
• State
• Color
• Texture 
• etc.

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Questions?!

Let's observe flammabilyuhhhhhhhty!