Final answer:
Melting of wax is a physical change as it only involves a state change, not a change in chemical composition. Burning of wax is a chemical change because it involves a reaction that produces new substances, like water and carbon dioxide, thus altering the chemical structure of the wax.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between the melting and burning of wax lies in the types of changes each process represents. Melting of wax is a physical change because it involves a change in the state of the wax from solid to liquid, without altering its chemical structure.
The molecular composition of the wax remains the same during melting. On the other hand, the burning of wax is a chemical change because it results in a chemical reaction. This reaction involves breaking of chemical bonds and the formation of new substances, such as water and carbon dioxide.
In this process, the chemical structure and composition of the wax are fundamentally changed, which is why it is classified as a chemical change.