C 1.3-1.4: Chemical & Physical Changes

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What is a chemical change?

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A chemical change is a process where substances combine or break apart to form new substances, often accompanied by energy changes, color changes, gas production, or temperature changes.

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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, such as changes in state, shape, or size.

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What observation indicates a chemical change has occurred?

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An observation that indicates a chemical change has occurred can include a change in temperature, color, formation of a gas, or formation of a precipitate.

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What are intermolecular forces (IMFs)?

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Intermolecular forces (IMFs) are forces of attraction or repulsion between neighboring particles (atoms, molecules, or ions) that influence the physical properties of substances.

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How do intermolecular forces affect the state of matter?

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Intermolecular forces determine the state of matter (solid, liquid, gas) by influencing how closely particles are held together and how freely they can move.

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What is an example of a physical change?

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An example of a physical change is boiling water, where water changes from liquid to gas but remains H2O.

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What is the definition of compressibility in terms of states of matter?

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Compressibility is the measure of how much a substance can be compressed or reduced in volume under pressure, which is a characteristic of gases.

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What does it mean for a substance to have a changeable shape?

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A substance with a changeable shape can take the shape of its container, which is characteristic of liquids and gases.

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What is the significance of temperature change in a chemical reaction?

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A temperature change during a chemical reaction can indicate that energy is being absorbed or released, suggesting a chemical change has occurred.

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What is the difference between a physical property and a chemical property?

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A physical property can be observed without changing the substance's identity (e.g., color, melting point), while a chemical property describes how a substance reacts with other substances (e.g., flammability, reactivity).