What are Physical and Chemical Changes?
Everything around us undergoes certain changes. Changes can be either physical or chemical. The term ‘matter’ refers to anything that has mass and occupies space. It is made up of tiny particles and has physical and chemical properties.
- Physical properties of matter include its appearance and observable properties. Some physical properties are colour, odour, taste, solubility, rigidity, fluidity, melting and boiling points, etc.
- A chemical property is a property exhibited during a chemical reaction. This includes pH, reactivity, inflammability, etc. Let’s learn about Physical and Chemical Changes, how they are related to physical and chemical properties.
Table of Contents
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- Physical Change
- Examples of Physical Change
- Chemical Change
- Examples of Chemical Change
- Difference between Physical and Chemical Changes
- Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
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Physical Change
When matter changes its observable properties, we can say it has undergone a physical change.
Physical change is a type of change where the physical properties of matter change. A change of state of matter, change in colour, odour, solubility, etc. all are examples of physical change.
During a physical change, neither the composition nor the chemical nature of matter is changed. During this change, molecules rearrange themselves without affecting the internal composition. A physical change doesn’t affect the chemical property.
Examples of Physical Change
Chemical Change
A chemical change is a type of change where the chemical properties of matter change. It is commonly called a chemical reaction.
Different substances have different chemical property. According to this property, substances show variation in their reactivity. A chemical reaction results in a new product. During a chemical change, bonds between the molecules break and the composition of the substance change. In other words, chemical change leads to the breaking and making of bonds.
Examples of Chemical Change
Combustion, rusting, fermentation, etc. are a few examples of chemical change.
Difference between Physical and Chemical Changes
The following table shows major differences between a physical and chemical change.
| Physical Change | Chemical Change |
| Change in physical property | Change in physical and chemical property |
| Reversible process | Irreversible process |
| Energy is neither absorbed nor evolved | Energy is either absorbed or evolved |
| No new product formation | The new product is formed |
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
What is the physical change?
A physical change to a sample of matter occurs when some of the material’s characteristics change but the matter’s identity does not. Physical changes are further divided into two categories: reversible and irreversible. Melting is a reversible physical change since the melted ice cube may be refrozen.
What are two examples of physical changes?
Changes in the size or form of matter are examples of physical change. Physical changes include transitions from one state to another, such as from solid to liquid or liquid to gas. Cutting, bending, dissolving, freezing, boiling, and melting are some of the processes that create physical changes.
How is a chemical change different from a physical change?
The appearance or shape of matter changes during a physical change, but the kind of matter in the material does not. A chemical change, on the other hand, results in the formation of at least one new substance with new characteristics.
Is color change a chemical reaction?
Another sign that a chemical reaction is taking place is a change in hue…. This hue shift is the result of a chemical reaction. However, one must exercise caution since occasionally a colour shift is just the result of combining two hues rather than a true change in the composition of the substances in issue.
Is frying an egg a chemical change?
When you cook an egg, the liquid portion of the egg transforms from liquid to solid, resulting in a chemical change. The liquid component of the egg changes colour from clear to white as it cooks.
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