Describe each of the following as a physical or chemical property:b. Hydrogen reacts readily with oxygen.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the difference between physical and chemical properties. A physical property can be observed or measured without changing the substance's identity, such as color, melting point, or density. A chemical property describes a substance's ability to undergo a specific chemical change, resulting in a new substance.
2. Step 2: Analyze the statement 'Hydrogen reacts readily with oxygen.'
3. Step 3: Identify the key action in the statement, which is 'reacts.'
4. Step 4: Determine if this action involves a change in the chemical identity of the substances involved. In this case, hydrogen and oxygen reacting would form a new substance, water (H2O).
5. Step 5: Conclude that since the reaction results in a new substance, this is a chemical property.

Key Concepts

Chemical Property

A chemical property is a characteristic of a substance that becomes evident during a chemical reaction. It describes the ability of a substance to undergo changes that transform it into different substances. For example, the reactivity of hydrogen with oxygen is a chemical property, as it involves a reaction that produces water, demonstrating a change in the substance's chemical identity.

Reactivity

Reactivity refers to the tendency of a substance to undergo chemical reactions, either by itself or with other materials. It is a crucial aspect of chemical properties, as it determines how substances interact with one another. In the case of hydrogen, its high reactivity with oxygen leads to combustion, which is a fundamental reaction in chemistry.

Combustion Reaction

A combustion reaction is a type of chemical reaction that occurs when a substance reacts rapidly with oxygen, releasing energy in the form of heat and light. In the context of hydrogen reacting with oxygen, this reaction produces water and is highly exothermic, meaning it releases a significant amount of energy. Understanding combustion is essential for grasping the implications of hydrogen's reactivity.