Chemical Properties of Substance, Chemicals or Matter

In the chemical industry, various types of chemicals are used in the manufacturing process as well as in laboratories and several types of chemicals are being produced. In any manufacturing facility, storage section is there where the raw material which are essential for the production department are being stored. In this artile, we are going to learn what are the chemical properties of substance and examples of chemical propeties.

The simple rule to store any material is to follow the vendor’s guidelines. Other than guidelines, MSDS of the chemicals can be referred for material handling and storage information. Storage of chemicals should be properly maintained and the chemicals to be labeled and to be stored at a specific location for each chemical. We had posted a detailed article on Chemical Storage Safety measures In Industry in which chemcial properties of chemicals are very important.

Before we get into the tutorial on what are the chemical and physical properties of matter, let us understand what is properties.

Definition of properties

Properties can be defined as a characteristic that distinguishes one substance from another.

Different chemicals have different types of properties and based on that types of chemical has been decided. Basically, there are two types of properties of a substance.

1. Physical properties
2. Chemical Properties

Physical Properties

Physical properties are properties that can be measured or observed without accompanying changes in their chemical composition.

Chemical Properties

Chemical properties are the properties that can only be measured or observed when the substance goes under chemical reaction or chemical change.

Today this we are going to learn what are the chemical properties of chemicals. It is very important to know the properties of chemicals when it comes to use or store that chemical. Lack of knowledge about chemical properties of chemical and leads to a big accident. Here are the different types of chemical properties of chemicals.

Different examples of chemical properties

Toxicity

Toxicity means a property that can cause damage or cause harm to a living organism if it enters. When a toxic material enters into the body, it affects the body and the effect of toxic material is of two types.

Toxic material can have two types of effect.

1. Acute
2. Chronic

Acute – Adverse effect to a living organism as a result of short-term high concentration exposure to a toxicant.

Chronic – Harmful and adverse effect to a living organism as a result of long term exposure to a toxicant.

There are basically 5 types of toxic entities and those are listed below

1. Chemical
2. Biological
3. Physical
4. Radiation
5. Behavioral toxicity

Toxic chemicals examples

• Mercury
• Hydrogen sulfide
• Chlorine gas

Flammability

Flammable are a combustible substance which whose flashpoint is very low and can burn at ambient temperature. In other words, the substance which can catch fire easily or with very little effort is considered flammability.

Special care needs to be take while handling or storing flammable substances. These susbstances should keep away from the ignition source as it can be caught fire and can also result in an explosion.

Flammable chemical examples

• Methanol
• Acetone

Heat of combustion

Hear of combustion is the amount of heat liberated when the substance when it undergoes combustion. It is also referred as the calorific value or energy value of the substance.

Extra safety precaution need to be taken while storing these chemical as if these chemical caught fire, it can leads to major fire accident.

These chemical needs to be store in a cold and dark area and should not be store in direct sunlight. These chemicals should not be store near flammable or oxidizer chemicals.

Corrosive

Corrosivity is a property that cause chemical attack to the substance or living organism and has the capability to damage body tissues.

Its is important to store corrosive materai with extra case as any leak can not only corrode the facility structure but also harm human organs in case of spill over the skin or inhale of fumes.

Spillage kit and required first aid box should be present and the person working in that premises should be trained about the step to be taking in case of spillage and leakage.

The person who handles these materials should have proper PPEs to handle such as safety goggles, safety gloves, and apron.

Corrosive chemical examples

• Hydrochloric acid
• sulphuric acid

Water Reactives –

Water reactives materail are those who react violently when they comes in contact with water or moisture. These material can also react explosively when they come into contact with water.

The area in which these materials are stores should be well ventilated as these substances liberate heat and flammable gases mostly hydrogen.

Water-reactive chemicals example

• Sodium
• Lithium
• Calcium carbide

Explosive – Chemical properties of substance

An explosion is an extremely rapid chemical (explosive) transformation of fuel accompanied by release of energy and compression of gases capable of producing mechanical work and these substance are called explosive material

Explosive material should be marked and labeled and to be store away from flammable and toxic material.

Explosive chemical examples

• EDDN [ethylene diamine dinitrate]
• DATB [diaminotrinitrobenzene]

Oxidizer

Oxidation is a property in which substances of matter readily accept electrons and act as a reducer in a chemical reaction. These chemicals are also referred to as electron acceptors.

Oxidizer severe fire hazard as they are not comsubstile, but they supports fire in case of fire occured. Hence, materail should be stores alogn with flammable substances.

Oxidizer chemical examples

• Hydrogen peroxide.
• Perchloric acid.
• Sodium perchlorate.

Reactivity

Reactivity is the ability of matter and a measure how the readily or relative capacity of an atom, molecule, or to undergo a chemical reaction with another atom, molecule, or compound.

Some compounds are highly reactive when coming in contact with some specific chemical. An increase in temperature increases the energy and hence increases the reactivity.

Reactive chemical examples

Potassium is highly reactive to water. When potassium is added to water, metal foats over water moves quickly, and burn. Potassium reacts with water and forms potassium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.

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FAQ (Chemical properites of matter)

Wrapping Up

Hope this article on the types of chemical properties of matter had helped you to learn about the topic. If you have any doubt regarding the chemical properties of substance then feel free to use the comment section, we will help you to clear your doubt. In case, you want us to cover any specific topic then do let us know through the comment section.