Properties of Matter:
To understand reactions of matter you must first understand that all matter has either physical or chemical properties. These properties are characteristics that make each substance unique from one another.
Physical Properties: These are characteristics of the substance that you can observe and measure without changing the substance.
Physical Properties May Include:
Odor Taste Texture Hardness
Chemical Properties: These are the characteristics of the substance that you can observe and measure by changing the substance.
Chemical Properties May Include:
Flammability
Explosiveness 
Toxicity
Reactions of Matter:
When substances come in contact with each other they react in different ways. Some interactions result in a physical reaction and others a chemical reaction.
Physical Reactions: This type of reaction occurs when substances interact with each other, but the results of the interaction does not create any new substance(s).
Physical Reactions Will Occur During:
Chopping Melting Dissolving
Chemical Reactions: In this type of reaction substances interact (reactants) with each other and the results of the interaction creates a new substance or substances (products). Below is the chemical equation for the compound water H2O
Example: O2 + H2 + H2 2H20
Chemical
Reactions Will Occur During:
Burning Explosions Photosynthesis
