Answer:
Chemical and physical changes refer to different types of changes that occur in matter. A physical change involves a change in the physical properties of matter without altering the identity of the substance. On the other hand, a chemical change occurs when a substance undergoes a chemical reaction, resulting in the formation of a new substance with a different chemical composition.
Physical changes involve changes in the form, shape, or size of matter, such as melting, freezing, boiling, or condensing. These changes are usually reversible, and the substance retains its chemical identity. For example, melting ice is a physical change since the ice changes from a solid to a liquid without altering its chemical composition.
Chemical changes, on the other hand, involve the rearrangement of atoms and the formation of new chemical bonds, resulting in the formation of a new substance with different chemical properties. Examples of chemical changes include burning, rusting, or digesting food. For instance, burning wood is a chemical change as the heat and oxygen cause the wood to decompose into ash, carbon dioxide, and water vapor, forming a new substance with different properties than the original wood.
In summary, the key difference between physical and chemical changes is that physical changes only affect the physical properties of matter, whereas chemical changes result in the formation of a new substance with different chemical properties.
Step-by-step explanation: