Chemistry Regents Practice Test

Which statement describes a chemical property of silicon?

1. Silicon is a good conductor of electricity

2. Silicon reacts with fluorine

3. Silicon is malleable

4. Silicon has a high melting point

The correct answer is: Silicon reacts with fluorine

The statement that silicon reacts with fluorine accurately describes a chemical property of silicon. Chemical properties pertain to how a substance interacts with other substances, particularly during chemical reactions. When silicon reacts with fluorine, it forms silicon fluoride, indicating a characteristic behavior of silicon when it undergoes a chemical change. Silicon's ability to react with fluorine showcases its reactivity and provides insight into the potential chemical transformations it can undergo, which is definitive of its chemical properties. This is contrasted with physical properties that describe the state or attributes of the material without involving a chemical change, such as electrical conductivity, malleability, or melting point, which are not indicative of chemical behavior.