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Physical vs. Chemical Changes Explained

The document explains the differences between physical and chemical changes, highlighting that physical changes do not create new substances and are usually reversible, while chemical changes result in new substances and are typically irreversible. It also discusses properties of chemicals such as flammability, reactivity, and degradability, providing examples for each. The document concludes with a summary table comparing physical and chemical changes.

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chinsablan
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8 views2 pages

Physical vs. Chemical Changes Explained

The document explains the differences between physical and chemical changes, highlighting that physical changes do not create new substances and are usually reversible, while chemical changes result in new substances and are typically irreversible. It also discusses properties of chemicals such as flammability, reactivity, and degradability, providing examples for each. The document concludes with a summary table comparing physical and chemical changes.

Uploaded by

chinsablan
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

1.

Physical Change

What is it?
A physical change happens when a material changes in shape, size, or state (solid, liquid, gas), but no new
substance is made.

Important:
✅ The object is still the same.
✅ Usually easy to reverse.

Examples:

• Melting ice – Ice turns to water, but it's still water.


• Cutting paper – The shape changes, but it’s still paper.
• Folding clothes – The clothes change shape but stay the same.
• Freezing water – Water becomes ice, but can be melted back.
• Breaking a glass – The glass breaks into pieces, but it’s still glass.

2. Chemical Change

What is it?
A chemical change happens when one or more new substances are made. It usually cannot be reversed.

Clues of Chemical Change:

• Color change
• Bubbles or gas
• Heat or light
• New smell or solid

Examples:

• Burning wood – Turns into ash and smoke, which are new.
• Mixing vinegar and baking soda – Creates bubbles (gas).
• Cooking an egg – The egg becomes solid and changes color.
• Rusting iron – A brown substance (rust) forms on the metal.
• Toasting bread – The bread changes color and texture.

Properties of Chemicals

Flammability

Definition:
Flammability is the ability of a substance to catch fire and burn.

Examples:

• Paper – Burns quickly (flammable).


• Wood – Catches fire easily.
• Glass or metal – Does not catch fire easily (not flammable).

Reactivity

Definition:
Reactivity tells how a substance reacts with another substance, like air, water, or other chemicals.

Examples:

• Iron + water + air = rust


• Vinegar + baking soda = bubbles and gas
• Some chemicals + water = heat or light

Degradability

Definition:
Degradability tells whether a material can break down naturally in the environment.

Types:

• Biodegradable – Breaks down naturally (e.g., food waste, paper).


• Non-biodegradable – Stays in nature for many years (e.g., plastic, styrofoam).

Examples:

• Banana peel – Biodegradable


• Paper – Biodegradable
• Plastic bag – Non-biodegradable
• Styrofoam – Non-biodegradable

✅ REMEMBER

Change Type New Substance? Reversible? Examples


Physical ❌ No ✅ Yes Cutting paper, melting ice
Chemical ✅ Yes ❌ No Burning wood, cooking an egg

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