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 dissolving.

Front

What is a chemical change?

Back

A chemical change is a change that results in the formation of new chemical substances. It involves a chemical reaction and changes the composition of the original substance. Examples include rusting, burning, and digestion.

Front

Give an example of a physical change.

Back

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

Front

Give an example of a chemical change.

Back

An example of a chemical change is iron rusting when exposed to moisture.

Front

What are some indicators of a chemical change?

Back

Indicators of a chemical change include color change, temperature change, gas production, and the formation of a precipitate.

Front

What happens to the molecules during a physical change?

Back

During a physical change, the arrangement of molecules may change, but their chemical structure remains the same.

Front

What happens to the molecules during a chemical change?

Back

During a chemical change, the bonds between atoms are broken and new bonds are formed, resulting in new substances.

Front

Is boiling water a physical or chemical change?

Back

Boiling water is a physical change because it changes from liquid to gas without altering its chemical composition.

Front

Is burning wood a physical or chemical change?

Back

Burning wood is a chemical change because it transforms the wood into ash, smoke, and gases.

Front

What is the law of conservation of mass in relation to chemical changes?

Back

The law of conservation of mass states that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction; the total mass of the reactants equals the total mass of the products.