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 changing its chemical composition. Examples include melting ice or tearing paper.

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 iron or burning wood.

Front

Is melting ice a physical or chemical change?

Back

Melting ice is a physical change.

Front

Is burning wood a physical or chemical change?

Back

Burning wood is a chemical change.

Front

What happens to the substance in a physical change?

Back

In a physical change, the substance remains the same at the molecular level, even though its form may change.

Front

What happens to the substance in a chemical change?

Back

In a chemical change, the original substance is transformed into one or more new substances with different properties.

Front

Can physical changes be reversed?

Back

Yes, many physical changes can be reversed, such as freezing and melting water.

Front

Can chemical changes be reversed?

Back

Chemical changes are often not reversible by simple physical means, as new substances are formed.

Front

What is an example of a physical change?

Back

An example of a physical change is chopping wood.

Front

What is an example of a chemical change?

Back

An example of a chemical change is baking a cake.