Physical Changes
What is a Physical Change?
A physical change is when a substance is changed, however it doesn't form a new substance. A physical change is basically a process in which something is changed, without changing the chemical structure. All physical changes can include smashing, hitting, cutting, bending, sharpening. All of these methods are physical changed because even though they could be getting hit or smashed, the chemical structure remains untouched. It is also known as a physical change because it is not forming a new substance. Even though a substance may look different after being bent or cut, it is still the same substance as physical changed leave the chemical structure alone and they don't produce any new substance. This case also goes with the behaviour of the substance. Even though something may act different after going through a physical change, it is still the same object and the chemical structure remains the same. There are different ways in which something can undergo physical change. Some of these could also be when a substance changes in form or state by sublimation, evaporation, condensation, and more. This can include when an ice cube melts. Although the ice cube is melting, it is still the same substance as it's original state. No new substance is created during a physical change. A physical change occurs even though the matter changes form. The size, colour and the shape of the matter may change in a physical change. When substances are mixed, it is a physical reaction as long as they do not react with each other. There are different ways of identifying if something is a physical change. One way to identify this is when the change is reversible, as all physical changes are reversible. For example, if you melt an ice cube, it is a physical change because it is reversible by just freezing the liquid again. On the other hand, chemical changes are irreversible. For example, if a pipe rusts, it is going through a chemical change.
Examples of Physical Changes
A physical change is when a substance is changed, however it doesn't form a new substance. A physical change is basically a process in which something is changed, without changing the chemical structure. All physical changes can include smashing, hitting, cutting, bending, sharpening. All of these methods are physical changed because even though they could be getting hit or smashed, the chemical structure remains untouched. It is also known as a physical change because it is not forming a new substance. Even though a substance may look different after being bent or cut, it is still the same substance as physical changed leave the chemical structure alone and they don't produce any new substance. This case also goes with the behaviour of the substance. Even though something may act different after going through a physical change, it is still the same object and the chemical structure remains the same. There are different ways in which something can undergo physical change. Some of these could also be when a substance changes in form or state by sublimation, evaporation, condensation, and more. This can include when an ice cube melts. Although the ice cube is melting, it is still the same substance as it's original state. No new substance is created during a physical change. A physical change occurs even though the matter changes form. The size, colour and the shape of the matter may change in a physical change. When substances are mixed, it is a physical reaction as long as they do not react with each other. There are different ways of identifying if something is a physical change. One way to identify this is when the change is reversible, as all physical changes are reversible. For example, if you melt an ice cube, it is a physical change because it is reversible by just freezing the liquid again. On the other hand, chemical changes are irreversible. For example, if a pipe rusts, it is going through a chemical change.
Examples of Physical Changes
- Crushing a can
- Melting an ice cube
- Chopping wood
- Mixing sand and water
- Breaking a glass
When you break a glass, it is a physical change. Similar to the chopping of wood, any physical change can occur even after breaking, bending, sharpening and cutting. Just because the glass is breaking, it doesn't mean that it isn't the same glass that it was originally. Even though a glass is broken, the chemical structure remains untouched, therefore making the breaking of a glass a physical change.
Watch this video to learn more about physical and chemical changes.