Physical and Chemical Changes

Front

What is a physical change?

Back

A physical change is a change that affects one or more physical properties of a substance without altering its chemical composition. Examples include melting, freezing, and cutting.

Front

What is a chemical change?

Back

A chemical change is a change that results in the formation of new chemical substances. Examples include rusting, burning, and tarnishing.

Front

Can physical changes be reversed?

Back

Yes, physical changes can often be reversed. For example, ice can melt into water and then be refrozen back into ice.

Front

Can chemical changes be reversed?

Back

Chemical changes are usually not reversible by simple physical means. For example, burning wood cannot be reversed to get back the original wood.

Front

What happens to the particles during a physical change?

Back

During a physical change, the arrangement of particles may change, but the particles themselves remain the same.

Front

What happens to the particles during a chemical change?

Back

During a chemical change, the particles rearrange to form new substances with different properties.

Front

Give an example of a physical change that is not a change of state.

Back

An example of a physical change that is not a change of state is paper being cut.

Front

What is an example of a chemical change?

Back

An example of a chemical change is a penny tarnishing.

Front

What is an example of a physical change?

Back

An example of a physical change is butter melting.

Front

What is the effect of heat on ice in terms of physical change?

Back

When heat is added to ice, it melts into water, demonstrating a physical change from solid to liquid.