Final answer:
Decomposition is a chemical change, not a physical change, as it alters the chemical composition of a substance by breaking it down into simpler substances or elements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that decomposition is considered a physical change is false. Decomposition is a chemical change because it involves breaking down a compound into simpler substances or elements, thereby altering the chemical composition. Chemical changes are processes where the molecular composition of a substance is altered, leading to the formation of new substances with different properties. For example, when sugar is heated, it decomposes into carbon and water; here, this decomposition cannot be reversed by simple physical means, marking it as a chemical process, unlike physical changes such as melting or boiling.
Examples of Chemical Change
- Hydrogen and oxygen reacting to form water
- A pile of leaves rotting, as it involves biological decomposition
Examples of Physical Change
- Gold being stretched into thin wires
- Water boiling and becoming steam