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Which statement describes what happens in a chemical change but not in a physical change?

a) The product is a solid.

b) The change only happens at a high temperature.

c) The atoms have combined in a different way to make a new substance.

d) The types of atoms at the start are the same as in the end product.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The statement that describes what happens in a chemical change but not in a physical change is that the atoms have combined in a different way to make a new substance. Chemical changes result in substances with different chemical properties compared to the original materials.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question you're asking is related to understanding the difference between a chemical change and a physical change. To answer which statement describes what happens in a chemical change but not in a physical change:

c) The atoms have combined in a different way to make a new substance.

This option correctly explains what differentiates a chemical change from a physical change. During a chemical change, the atoms rearrange themselves to form a new substance with different chemical properties than the original substances. This is a fundamental aspect of chemical reactions that involve the breaking and forming of chemical bonds, resulting in substances that have new physical and chemical properties.

Contrast this with a physical change where the substance may change form or state (from solid to liquid, for example), but its molecular structure remains the same. For instance, when ice melts into water, it's still H2O - just in a different state.

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