What can be used to identify a substance or to predict how it will behave?
a. stages of activity
b. physical and chemical properties
c. geothermal activity
d. viscosity

Physical and chemical properties are the most informative and studied components of an object or organism. Such as if something is 70% water 3% salt 7% protein and 20% cellulose, just and informed hypothesis is that it could be a plant of some sort without having to take a sample or see it as long as you are aware of its components and how they function.