Final answer:
The tarnishing of silver (E) is a chemical change because it involves the chemical reaction of silver with substances in the air, resulting in the formation of silver sulfide, a new substance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking to identify which scenario is an example of a chemical change. Among the options provided, the tarnishing of silver (E) represents a chemical change. This is because when silver tarnishes, it reacts with sulfur-containing substances in the air to form silver sulfide, a different substance with distinct properties compared to the original silver. Tarnishing is not simply a change in the physical state or shape but a transformation at the molecular level, resulting in new chemical products.
By contrast, the other options given are examples of physical changes: dew condensing on a leaf (A), ice cream melting (B), wood being shredded (C), and a pond freezing (D) all represent changes in the physical state or form without altering the substances' chemical identity.