What is the difference between a physical and a chemical change?
Physical changes involve a change in the object's form but not its chemical composition. Chemical changes involve a change in the object's chemical composition. Examples include burning, freezing, melting, and dissolving.
Physical and Chemical Changes
Physical Change: A change in the appearance or form of a material without changing its chemical composition. Chemical Change: A process that involves a chemical reaction, resulting in the formation of one or more new substances. Reversible Change: A change that can be undone, returning the material to its original state.
Concepts:
Do you think physical and chemical changes are similar or different?
- Similar
- Different
- I don't know
Physical changes occur when a substance changes its form, but the chemical composition remains the same. This means that you end up with the same molecules and atoms as you started with. When a chemical change occurs, the chemical composition of the substance changes, meaning that new molecules and atoms are created. Some physical changes can be reversed, such as melting an ice cube, but chemical changes are usually irreversible, such as burning a piece of paper.
Did you know?
What is the difference between a physical change and a chemical change?
Can you think of examples of physical and chemical changes that you see in everyday life?
What have you learned about the differences between physical and chemical changes?
What do you think are the most important things to remember about physical and chemical changes?