Physical vs Chemical Changes Flashcards

Physical Change

• Involves alterations in physical properties without changing the substance's chemical structure.
• Common examples include melting, freezing, boiling, and dissolving.
• Characteristics such as shape, size, color, mass, and volume are affected, but the composition remains the same.
• Reversible processes like freezing water into ice and then melting back to water.

Chemical Change

• Entails a transformation in the chemical composition of a substance, resulting in the formation of new substances.
• Indicators include color change, gas production, formation of a precipitate, or temperature change.
• Examples include rusting of iron, combustion of gasoline, and digestion of food.
• Generally irreversible, as new products are formed and the original materials cannot be easily recovered.

Key Differences

• Physical changes can often be reversed; chemical changes usually cannot.
• Chemical changes involve the breaking and forming of bonds, altering the chemical identity of the substance.

This quiz features flashcards that help distinguish between physical and chemical changes. Each card presents a term and its definition, making it easy to understand the differences. Perfect for students studying chemistry fundamentals.