In the process of attempting to characterize a substance, a chemist makes the following observations: The substance is a silvery white, lustrous metal. It melts at \(649^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) and boils at \(1105^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). Its density at \(20^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) is \(1.738 \mathrm{~g} / \mathrm{cm}^{3}\). The substance burns in air, producing an intense white light. It reacts with chlorine to give a brittle white solid. The substance can be pounded into thin sheets or drawn into wires. It is a good conductor of electricity. Which of these characteristics are physical properties, and which are chemical properties?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The physical properties of the substance are its appearance (silvery white, lustrous metal), melting point (\(649^{\circ}\mathrm{C}\)), boiling point (\(1105^{\circ}\mathrm{C}\)), density (\(1.738 \mathrm{~g}/\mathrm{cm}^{3}\) at \(20^{\circ}\mathrm{C}\)), malleability (can be pounded into thin sheets), ductility (can be drawn into wires), and electrical conductivity (good conductor of electricity). The chemical properties of the substance are its reaction with oxygen (burns in air, producing an intense white light) and reaction with chlorine (reacts with chlorine to give a brittle white solid).

Step by step solution

01

List the Observations

Here are the given observations about the substance: 1. Silvery white, lustrous metal. 2. Melts at \(649^{\circ}\mathrm{C}\). 3. Boils at \(1105^{\circ}\mathrm{C}\). 4. Density at \(20^{\circ}\mathrm{C}\) is \(1.738 \mathrm{~g}/\mathrm{cm}^{3}\). 5. Burns in air, producing an intense white light. 6. Reacts with chlorine to give a brittle white solid. 7. Can be pounded into thin sheets. 8. Can be drawn into wires. 9. Good conductor of electricity.
02

Identify Physical Properties

Let's find out the physical properties among the given observations. Remember, physical properties can be observed without changing the substance's identity. The physical properties are: 1. Silvery white, lustrous metal (appearance). 2. Melts at \(649^{\circ}\mathrm{C}\) (melting point). 3. Boils at \(1105^{\circ}\mathrm{C}\) (boiling point). 4. Density at \(20^{\circ}\mathrm{C}\) is \(1.738 \mathrm{~g}/\mathrm{cm}^{3}\) (density). 7. Can be pounded into thin sheets (malleability). 8. Can be drawn into wires (ductility). 9. Good conductor of electricity (electrical conductivity).
03

Identify Chemical Properties

Now let's identify the chemical properties among the given observations. Chemical properties describe how a substance interacts with other substances or changes its chemical composition during chemical reactions. The chemical properties are: 5. Burns in air, producing an intense white light (reaction with oxygen). 6. Reacts with chlorine to give a brittle white solid (reaction with chlorine).
04

Summarize the Physical and Chemical Properties

Based on our analysis, we can categorize the observations as follows: Physical Properties: 1. Appearance: Silvery white, lustrous metal. 2. Melting Point: \(649^{\circ}\mathrm{C}\). 3. Boiling Point: \(1105^{\circ}\mathrm{C}\). 4. Density: \(1.738 \mathrm{~g}/\mathrm{cm}^{3}\) at \(20^{\circ}\mathrm{C}\). 7. Malleability: Can be pounded into thin sheets. 8. Ductility: Can be drawn into wires. 9. Electrical Conductivity: Good conductor of electricity. Chemical Properties: 5. Reaction with Oxygen: Burns in air, producing an intense white light. 6. Reaction with Chlorine: Reacts with chlorine to give a brittle white solid.

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