Physical and Chemical Changes

A physical change is a change that affects one or more physical properties of a substance without altering its chemical composition.

A chemical change is a change that results in the formation of new chemical substances.

Melting ice is a physical change.

Burning wood is a chemical change.

In an exothermic reaction, energy is released.

In an endothermic reaction, energy is absorbed.

An example of a physical change is dissolving sugar in water.

An example of a chemical change is rust forming on iron.

A physical change does not create a new substance, while a chemical change does.

An indicator of a chemical change can include color change, gas production, or temperature change.