Physics
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Matter

Chemical vs Physical Changes

Molecules Volume



Summary

  • In the right circumstances, the chemical bonds between molecules can be broken, and new bonds formed. (This is known as a chemical reaction.) Example of a chemical change: two H2O molecules react, forming one Oxygen molecule and two Hydrogen molecules.

  • When bond-breaking or bond-forming creates something new, it is known as a chemical change.

  • A physical change is where matter changes its form, but not the molecules its made from. A birthday cake with a slice taken from it Cutting a cake is an example of a physical change. The cake has changed form, but it's still made of the same molecules.

  • Changing state (e.g. freezing, boiling) is a common example of a physical change. Ice melting to form water is an example of a physical change.

  • The number (and type) of atoms stays the same for both chemical and physical changes. For the H2O reaction above, there are 4 Hydrogen atoms and 2 Oxygen atoms both before and after the chemical reaction

  • Therefore, the total mass also stays the same for both chemical and physical changes (this is known as the law of conservation of mass).


Quiz

Water boils to form steam. This is an example of...

An old iron key reacts with oxygen, forming rust (aka. ”iron oxide“). This is an example of a...

Flour and sugar are poured into a bowl. They are mixed together. This is an example of...

Before a chemical change, there are 5 H2O molecules. How many Hydrogen atoms are there afterwards?

Before a physical change, there are 5 H2O molecules. How many Hydrogen atoms are there afterwards?

An ice cube weighs 30g. The ice cube melts. What is the mass of the water formed?

88g of sugar reacts to form H2O and CO2. No sugar is left. What mass of H2O and CO2 has been made?

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