Properties of Matter

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What is a physical change?

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A physical change is a change in which the form or appearance of matter changes, but its chemical composition remains the same. Examples include melting ice, dissolving sugar in water, and sharpening a pencil.

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What is a chemical change?

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A chemical change is a change that results in the formation of new chemical substances. Examples include boiling an egg, rusting of iron, and burning wood.

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NGSS.MS-PS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS1-5

Front

What is a physical property?

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A physical property is a characteristic of a substance that can be observed or measured without changing the substance's chemical identity. Examples include color, odor, melting point, and density.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Front

What is a chemical property?

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A chemical property is a characteristic of a substance that becomes evident during a chemical reaction; it describes the substance's ability to undergo changes that transform it into different substances. Examples include flammability and reactivity with acids.

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What happens during a physical change?

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During a physical change, the substance may change its shape, size, or state (solid, liquid, gas), but its chemical structure remains unchanged.

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What happens during a chemical change?

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During a chemical change, the original substances are transformed into one or more new substances with different properties.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS1-5

Front

Give an example of a physical change.

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An example of a physical change is the melting of ice into water.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Front

Give an example of a chemical change.

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An example of a chemical change is the rusting of iron.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS1-5

Front

What is the difference between physical and chemical changes?

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The main difference is that physical changes do not alter the chemical composition of a substance, while chemical changes do.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Front

What is corrosion?

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Corrosion is a chemical change that occurs when metals react with oxygen and moisture in the environment, leading to deterioration. An example is the rusting of iron.