Final answer:
Ice melting is a reversible physical change in which solid ice becomes liquid water without altering its chemical composition. This type of change affects the physical properties, but not the identity of the water molecules.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ice melting is an example of a physical change. It is a process where the state of water changes from solid (ice) to liquid (water) without altering the chemical composition of the water molecule, which consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. This change is characterized by a change in some physical properties such as shape and the ability to flow, but the identity of the matter does not transform and remains H₂O.
Physical changes can be categorized as reversible or irreversible. Melting ice is considered a reversible physical change since the water can be refrozen back into ice. Other examples of reversible physical changes include vaporization, freezing, condensation, and dissolution. The ability to reverse the change by simple means like changing temperature or removing a solvent is a key property of physical changes.