Teacher'S Materials Physical and Chemical Change

TEACHER’S MATERIALS
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHANGE
Chemical changes occur when a substance combines with another to form a new substance,
called chemical synthesis or, alternatively, chemical decomposition into two or more different
substances. These processes are called chemical reactions and, in general, are not reversible
except by further chemical reactions. Some reactions produce heat and are called exothermic
reactions and others may require heat to enable the reaction to occur, which are
called endothermic reactions. Understanding chemical changes is a major part of the science
of chemistry.
When chemical reactions occur, the atoms are rearranged and the reaction is accompanied by
an energy change as new products are generated. An example of a chemical change is the
reaction between sodium and water to produce sodium hydroxide and hydrogen. So much
energy is released that the hydrogen gas released spontaneously burns in the air. This is an
example of a chemical change because the end products are chemically different from the
substances before the chemical reaction.
Evidence of chemical change
 Change of odor.
 Change of color (for example, silver to reddish-brown when iron rusts).
 Change in temperature or energy, such as the production (exothermic) or loss
(endothermic) of heat.
 Change of composition - paper turning to ash when burned.
 Light and/or heat given off.
 Formation of gases, often appearing as bubbles in liquids.
 Formation of a precipitate (insoluble particles).
 The decomposition of organic matter (for example, rotting food).
 The change is difficult or impossible to reverse.
Some Common Chemical Changes
1. The rusting of iron

2. Combustion (burning) of wood
3. The metabolism of food in the body
4. Mixing an acid and a base, such as hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium
hydroxide (NaOH)
5. Cooking an egg
6. Digesting sugar with the amylase in saliva
7. Mixing baking soda and vinegar to produce carbon dioxide gas
8. Baking a cake
9. Electroplating a metal
10. Using a chemical battery
11. The explosion of fireworks
12. Rotting bananas
13. Grilling a hamburger
14. Milk going sour
15. Burning wood
16. Souring milk
17. Mixing acid and base
18. Digesting food
19. Cooking an egg
20. Heating sugar to form caramel
21. Baking a cake
22. Rusting of iron
Less-familiar chemical reactions are also examples of chemical changes. While it's not always
easy to tell a chemical change has occurred, there are some telltale signs. Chemical changes
may cause a substance to change color, change temperature, produce bubbles, or (in liquids)
produce a precipitate. Chemical changes can also be considered to be any phenomenon that
allows a scientist to measure chemical properties.
Examples of Physical Changes
No new chemical species forms in a physical change. Changing the state of a pure substance
between solid, liquid, and gas phases of matter are all physical changes since the identity of the
matter does not change.
 Crumpling a sheet of aluminum foil

 Melting an ice cube
 Casting silver in a mold
 Breaking a bottle
 Boiling water
 Evaporating alcohol
 Shredding paper
 Sublimation of dry ice into carbon dioxide vapor
How to Tell Whether It's a Physical or Chemical Change?
Look for an indication that a chemical change occurred. Chemical reactions release or absorb
heat or other energy or may produce a gas, odor, color or sound. If you don't see any of these
indications, a physical change likely occurred. Be aware a physical change may produce a
dramatic change in the appearance of a substance. This doesn't mean a chemical reaction
occurred.
In some cases, it may be hard to tell whether a chemical or physical change occurred. For
example, when you dissolve sugar in water, a physical change occurs. The form of the sugar
changes, but it remains the same chemically (sucrose molecules). However, when you dissolve
the salt in water the salt dissociates into its ions (from NaCl into Na+ and Cl-) so a chemical
change occurs. In both cases, a white solid dissolves into a clear liquid and in both cases, you
can recover the starting material by removing the water, yet the processes are not the same.

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TEACHER’S MATERIALS

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHANGE

Evidence of chemical change

Some Common Chemical Changes

1. The rusting of iron

Examples of Physical Changes

 Crumpling a sheet of aluminum foil

How to Tell Whether It's a Physical or Chemical Change?

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