Properties of Matter

& pH

Characteristic vs Non-Characteristic

Properties

When identifying an

unknown substance in the

lab, we are dependent on

the observations that we

make

Textbook: p. 175, 178-189

We look at the different properties of

the substance and use all of the

information collected as evidence in

order to identify what it could be

These properties can be

characteristic or non-

characteristic

Characteristic vs Non-Characteristic Properties

Characteristic Properties

A property that is unique to a

particular substance

No other substance shares

this property

Characteristic Properties

Examples:

*Density*

Boiling point

Melting/Freezing point

Characteristic Properties

*You need to memorize*

Freezing Point of Water: 0°C

Melting Point of Ice: 0°C

Boiling Point of Water: 100°C

These are all examples of Physical

Changes

Non-Characteristic Properties

A chemical or physical

property that is shared

by many different

substances

Non-Characteristic Properties

Examples:

Colour

Shape

Mass

pH

Temperature

Volume

Solubility

Magnetism

Electrical conductivity

Non-Characteristic Properties

Mass

The amount of matter

contained in an object

Measured using a scale

(balance)

Non-Characteristic Properties

Temperature

Measures particle

agitation (movement)

Measured using a

thermometer

Non-Characteristic Properties

Volume

The amount of space

that a substance occupies

Measured with graduated

cylinder, overflow can or

LxWxH

Non-Characteristic Properties

Solubility

How well a substance(solute)

can dissolve into another

substance (solvent)

Ex: salt into water

pH

What is pH?

Power of Hydrogen

What is pH?

A measure/scale that allows us

to determine if a solution is

acidic, neutral or basic

Acidic Basic (alkaline)

weaker strongerstronger

Neutral

pH of Common Substances

Acids

What is an acid?

Anything with a pH value of

less than 7

0-6.99999999999…..

Has a sour taste

Turns blue litmus paper RED

Acids

Examples:

Fruit juices

Vinegar

Sodas

Batteries

Bases

What is a base?

Anything with a pH value of

more than 7

7.00000001 - 14

Has a bitter taste

Turns red litmus paper BLUE

Bases

Examples

Baking soda

Cleaning products (soap, bleach,

etc)

Sea water

Blood

Acids vs Bases?

BRA

Blue to Red

= Acid

Neutral Substances

What is are neutral

substances?

Anything with a pH value

of exactly 7

Neutral Substances

Example

Pure water

Ethanol

How can we test if something is an Acid,

Base or Neutral?

Litmus paper!

What happens if you dip litmus paper

into an Acid?

What happens if you dip litmus paper

into a Base?

What happens if you dip litmus paper

into water?