Answer:
Claim: A phase change is a physical change, not a chemical change.
Evidence 1: Observations of phase changes
- When water is heated below 0°C, it changes from a solid state (ice) to a liquid state (water).
- When solid CO2 (dry ice) warms, it directly turns into a gas state (carbon dioxide gas).
Reasoning:
A physical change is a change in the physical properties of a substance without altering its chemical composition. In the case of a phase change, the substance transitions between different physical states (solid, liquid, or gas) without undergoing a chemical reaction.
The observations mentioned above support the claim that a phase change is a physical change. In the first observation, when water is heated below 0°C, it undergoes a phase change from solid to liquid. The chemical composition of water remains the same; only the arrangement and movement of water molecules change. Similarly, in the second observation, solid CO2 directly changes into a gas without undergoing any chemical reaction.
The definition of a physical change aligns with the observations, as it involves changes in the physical state or properties of a substance without altering its chemical identity. There is no evidence of chemical reactions or the formation of new substances during a phase change.
The known scientific principle that explains phase changes is the concept of intermolecular forces and energy.
The arrangement and movement of molecules in a substance determine its physical state. In a phase change, energy is either added or removed, altering the strength of intermolecular forces and causing the substance to transition between states. This principle supports the claim that phase changes are physical changes, as they involve alterations in intermolecular forces rather than chemical bonds.
***Based on the evidence and reasoning provided, it can be concluded that a phase change is a physical change.