Question

After dinner, Hector demonstrated to his parents a process that he learned in science class that day. He poured a small amount of sugar into a cup of water and then stirred it until the sugar dissolved. Which process did Hector demonstrate?

a) Chemical reaction
b) Physical change
c) Biological process
d) Nuclear reaction

Answer 1

Hector demonstrated a physical change by dissolving sugar in water. This is different from a chemical change, where the substance's chemical properties are altered. The correct answer to the question is b) Physical change.

Step-by-step explanation:

The process that Hector demonstrated by dissolving sugar in water is a physical change. This is because the sugar, when dissolved in water, does not change into a different substance; it simply spreads out evenly within the water. Compare this to a chemical change, where the substance's chemical makeup is altered, as in the burning of gasoline or souring of milk. Given the choices, the correct answer would be b) Physical change. If Hector were to evaporate the water, the sugar would recrystallize, indicating that no chemical transformation has occurred.