Investigating Properties of Matter Vocabulary

The ability to conduct electrical current or thermal energy.

• density

• conductivity

• malleability

• ductility

The amount of matter that will fit into a given amount of space.

• density

• metals

• streak

• mass

The ability to be stretched into a wire without breaking.

• malleability

• luster

• ductility

• conductivity

The ability of a mineral to resist scratching.

• streak

• conductivity

• malleability

• hardness

How the surface of a mineral appears when it reflects light (e.g., shiny or dull).

• mass

• density

• luster

• hardness

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

The ability to be formed or shaped under pressure (e.g., metals hammered or rolled into thin sheets).

• luster

• hardness

• ductility

• malleability

The amount of matter in something.

• density

• mass

• volume

• streak

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-5

Substances that exhibit some properties of metals and nonmetals.

• metals

• hardness

• metalloids

• nonmetals

Substances that have the physical properties of luster, conductivity, and malleability; may appear in all three states of matter.

• metal

• nonmetal

• metalloid

• mass

Substances that have the physical properties of being dull, insulators, and brittle; may appear in all three states of matter.

• metalloids

• metals

• mass

• nonmetals