Question

A student wants to dissolve epsom salts in water for a project. Is this an example of a chemical change and reaction? Provide evidence and scientific reasoning.

Answer 1

The dissolution of epsom salts in water is a physical change, not a chemical change. It is a process in which the individual ions of the salt separate and become surrounded by water molecules. No bonds are broken or formed.

Step-by-step explanation:

The dissolution of epsom salts in water is an example of a physical change, not a chemical change. Dissolution is a physical process in which the individual ions of the salt separate and become surrounded by water molecules, forming a homogeneous solution. No bonds are broken or formed, therefore it is not a chemical reaction. A similar example is the dissolution of ordinary table salt (sodium chloride) in water.