Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

Melting and boiling points are considered what type of properties?

1. Chemical properties

2. Physical properties

3. Biological properties

4. Thermodynamic properties

The correct answer is: Physical properties

Melting and boiling points are classified as physical properties because they describe the state and phase of a substance without altering its chemical composition. These properties indicate the temperatures at which a solid either transitions to a liquid or a liquid changes to a gas, respectively. Understanding these points is essential for characterizing materials and helps in identifying and categorizing substances based on their physical behavior under temperature changes. In contrast, chemical properties relate to a substance's ability to undergo a chemical change, such as reactivity with other chemicals or the ability to burn, which would involve a transformation into new substances. Biological properties pertain to characteristics that define living organisms and their functions, while thermodynamic properties are typically associated with the energy and work done by systems in relation to heat transfer and phase changes. Therefore, the classification of melting and boiling points as physical properties accurately reflects their nature and role in understanding substance behavior.