Which of the following is a physical property of oxygen?

• A. Oxygen forms oxides with metals.
• B. Oxygen supports combustion.
• C. Oxygen reacts with hydrogen to form water.
• D. Oxygen is colorless and odorless at room temperature.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the difference between physical and chemical properties: Physical properties can be observed or measured without changing the substance's identity, while chemical properties describe how a substance reacts with other substances.
2. Review each option and determine if it involves a change in the chemical identity of oxygen or not.
3. For example, 'Oxygen forms oxides with metals' involves a chemical reaction forming new compounds, so it is a chemical property.
4. 'Oxygen supports combustion' describes oxygen's role in a chemical process, so it is also a chemical property.
5. The statement 'Oxygen is colorless and odorless at room temperature' describes characteristics that can be observed without changing oxygen's chemical identity, making it a physical property.