Which term describes the surface characteristics of a material?

The term that describes the surface characteristics of a material is texture. Texture refers to the feel, appearance, or consistency of a surface or a substance, indicating attributes such as smoothness, roughness, granularity, or pattern. These characteristics can influence both the tactile and visual experience of a material.

For example, a smooth surface like glass has a different texture than a rough surface like sandpaper. Understanding texture is essential in fields such as material science, art, and design, where the interaction of materials and their surfaces can impact functionality and aesthetic appeal. In contrast, temperature refers to how hot or cold something is, density measures how much mass is present in a given volume, and form describes the shape or arrangement of a material rather than its surface characteristics.