compare and contrast chemical and physical changes

Physical Change:Physical changes have no effect on the chemical bonds of molecules of a substance.Ĭhemical Change: Chemical changes have a direct effect on the chemical bonds of molecules in a substance. Physical Change:Some physical changes occur when heating/cooling is done.Ĭhemical Change: Chemical changes always involve absorption or release of energy. Physical Change:New products are not formed during physical changes.Ĭhemical Change:New products are formed during chemical changes. Physical Change: Physical changes are usually reversible.Ĭhemical Change:Chemical changes are usually irreversible. Physical Change:A physical change is the change of matter that occurs without changing the chemical composition of matter.Ĭhemical Change:A chemical change is the change of chemical composition of matter. Difference Between Physical and Chemical Change Definition

For example, some chemical changes show color changes, release of air bubbles, releasing odors, formation of precipitates, etc. Some chemical changes are visible to the eye whereas others are not visible. Some examples of chemical changes include rusting of iron, burning wood, polymerization, vulcanization, combustion of fuel, digestion of substrates by enzymes, etc. Moreover, when two compounds are mixed, it can cause physical changes if there are no chemical reactions between the mixed substances.įigure 2: Releasing Air Bubbles is an Indication of a Chemical Reaction This can result in melting of a solid, vaporization of a solid or a liquid, condensation of vapor, crystallization, etc. Physical changes occur when heating or cooling is done. For example, the phase transition of matter changes the density of matter. A physical change of matter changes the physical properties of a substance. The phase transition occurs when substances are cooled or heated. The major states of matter are solid state, liquid state, and gaseous state.

Sometimes the phase or the state of matter is changed. Therefore, after a physical change, new substances are not formed.Ī physical change of a substance may change its color, size, shape, etc. In other words, physical changes affect the form of chemical substance without changing the chemical composition of it. Key Terms: Chemical Change, Decomposition, Density, Irreversible, Phase Transitions, Physical Change, Reversible, SynthesisĪ physical change is the change of matter that occurs without changing the chemical composition of matter. What is the Difference Between Physical and Chemical Change

Chemical reactions cause the changes of chemical composition of substances by either forming new chemical bonds or by breaking down existing chemical bonds. Chemical changes occur during chemical reactions. Most of the physical changes include phase transitions where the phase or the state of matter is changed. This is the main difference between physical and chemical change. Chemical changes occur by changing the chemical composition of substances. Physical changes occur without changing the chemical arrangement of a substance. Main Difference – Physical vs Chemical Change

Compare and contrast chemical and physical changes