Physical and Chemical Changes in Matter

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What is a Physical Change?

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A Physical Change is a change that affects one or more physical properties of a substance without altering its chemical composition. Examples include shredding paper, melting ice, or breaking glass.

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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 rusting iron, burning wood, or baking a cake.

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Can a Physical Change be reversed?

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Yes, many Physical Changes can be reversed. For example, freezing water into ice can be reversed by melting the ice back into water.

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Can a Chemical Change be reversed?

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Chemical Changes are usually not reversible by simple physical means. For example, once wood is burned, it cannot be turned back into wood.

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What happens during a Physical Change?

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During a Physical Change, the form of a substance changes, but its chemical identity remains the same.

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What happens during a Chemical Change?

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During a Chemical Change, the substances involved undergo a transformation that results in the creation of new substances with different properties.

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Give an example of a Physical Change.

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An example of a Physical Change is breaking a glass bottle.

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Give an example of a Chemical Change.

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An example of a Chemical Change is the rusting of an iron fence.

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What is an indicator of a Chemical Change?

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

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What is an indicator of a Physical Change?

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Indicators of a Physical Change include changes in state (solid, liquid, gas), shape, or size without changing the substance's chemical identity.