Question

which statement describes a physical property related to the particles that make up a material? a. an iron nail has a reddish color because iron atoms on its surface combine with oxygen atoms. b. a fruit has a sour taste because some of the compounds that make it up are acids. c. salt crystals are hard and brittle because they are made up of atoms that combine by ionic bonding. d. a vegetable has a bitter taste because some of the compounds that make it up are bases.

Explanation:

A physical property is a characteristic of a substance that can be observed or measured without changing the identity of the substance. Option A describes a chemical reaction (rusting), options B and D describe chemical - related taste properties due to acids and bases. Option C describes the hardness and brittleness of salt crystals, which are physical properties related to the ionic - bonding structure of the particles making up the salt.

Answer:

C. Salt crystals are hard and brittle because they are made up of atoms that combine by ionic bonding.