What term describes the characteristics of a substance?

The term that describes the characteristics of a substance is "properties." Properties encompass various attributes that can be observed or measured, providing insight into the substance's behavior and identity. These can include physical properties such as color, melting point, and electrical conductivity, as well as chemical properties such as reactivity with other substances. Understanding a substance's properties is essential in science as it helps classify materials and predict how they will interact in different situations.

Mass, volume, and density are specific measurements that relate to the substance but do not encompass the broader concept of characteristics. Mass refers to the amount of matter in an object, volume is the space an object occupies, and density is the ratio of mass to volume. While these factors can describe aspects of a substance, they are not synonymous with the overall characteristics that define it.