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How can you distinguish between a physical change and a chemical change?

User Brooksbp
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Answer: What criteria are used to distinguish between a chemical and physical change?

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User MMK
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Answer:

Physical Change

  • When a substance undergoes a physical change, its composition remains the same despite its molecules being rearranged.
  • Physical change is a temporary change.
  • A Physical change affects only physical properties i.e. shape, size, etc.
  • A physical change involves very little to no absorption of energy.
  • Some examples of physical change are freezing of water, melting of wax, boiling of water, etc. .
  • In a physical change, no new substance is formed.
  • Physical change is easily reversible i.e original substance can be recovered.

Chemical Change

  • When a substance undergoes a chemical change, its molecular composition is changed entirely. Thus, chemical changes involve the formation of new substances.
  • .A chemical change is a permanent change.
  • Chemical change both physical and chemical properties of the substance including its composition
  • During a chemical reaction, absorption and evolution of energy take place.
  • A few examples of chemical change are digestion of food, burning of coal, rusting, etc.
  • A chemical change is always accompanied by one or more new substance(s).
  • Chemical changes are irreversible i.e. original substance cannot be recovered.
User Mjw
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