Question

Water ice has the chemical formula H2O (s). A block of ice melts to become liquid water, H2O (l). This change can be represented as:

H2O (s) → H2O (l)

Is this representation a chemical reaction? Why or why not?

1.Yes, because the reaction has reactants and products.
2.Yes, because the phase of the substance has changed.
3.No, because atoms are not rearranged to create new substances.
4.No, because the reaction has only one product.

Answer 1

The correct option is 3. No, because atoms are not rearranged to create new substances.

Step-by-step explanation:

A chemical reaction can be described as a reaction in which reactants combine to form new products. For example, the burning of wood is a chemical reaction.

A physical reaction can be described as the one in which no new products are made. The state of a substance might change from one form to another but no new substance is made. For example, the changing of the state of ice water into liquid water. A new product is not formed in this reaction hence, it is not a chemical reaction.