Final answer:
The reaction of a gummy bear with potassium chlorate is a chemical change, as it results in new substances being formed and an alteration of the chemical composition.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a gummy bear, containing sucrose, is reacted with potassium chlorate, heat is produced and the substances are transformed into new compounds. This reaction is a chemical change because the chemical composition of the substances involved change and new substances are formed, namely carbon dioxide, water, and potassium chloride, as represented in the thermochemical equation:
C12H22O11 (aq) + 8KCIO3(aq) → 12CO2(g) + 11H2O(l) + 8KCl(aq).
A chemical change is different from a physical change, which would involve a change in the form or state of a substance without altering its chemical identity, such as melting or freezing. Since the reaction of a gummy bear with potassium chlorate produces entirely different substances, it is clear that a chemical reaction takes place.