For example color, shape, and texture are all physical properties. For practice place an unlit candle in front of you and write down 5 of its physical properties. Chemical properties describe how a substance changes into a new substance. For example, you know from previous experience that wood has the ability to burn, therefore since wood changes chemically when it burns, one of its chemical properties is its ability to burn. Water on the other hand does not burn so water does not have the chemical property of burning.
Water does react violently when it is combined with sodium metal.
Therefore, a chemical property of water is its ability to react with sodium metal. Look at your candle again and list two of its chemical properties. Return to the 8th Grade Integrated Science Sci-ber Text Page . Visit the Utah State 8th Grade Integrated Science Core Curriculum Page . USOE Home Page Copyright by the Utah State Office of Education.