Difference Between Physical And Chemical Change

Physical changes are changes in the appearance, size, shape, or state of matter without a change in chemical composition. For example, cutting a piece of paper, melting ice, and boiling water are all physical changes.

Chemical changes, on the other hand, are changes that result in the formation of new substances with different chemical properties. Chemical changes are caused by chemical reactions between substances, which result in a change in the chemical composition of the substances involved. For example, when iron reacts with oxygen to form rust, a chemical change has occurred.

Physical changes are usually reversible, meaning that the original substance can be restored to its original state by simply reversing the process that caused the change. Chemical changes, however, are usually irreversible, meaning that the original substances cannot be restored to their original state.

Another difference between physical and chemical changes is that physical changes are often accompanied by physical signs such as a change in color, temperature, or pressure, while chemical changes are often accompanied by chemical signs such as the release or absorption of energy in the form of light, heat, or sound.

Physical changes are also often accompanied by a change in the physical properties of a substance, such as its density, melting point, or boiling point. Chemical changes, on the other hand, are usually accompanied by a change in the chemical properties of a substance, such as its reactivity, flammability, or toxicity.

In summary, the main difference between physical and chemical changes is that physical changes are changes in the appearance, size, shape, or state of matter without a change in chemical composition, while chemical changes are changes that result in the formation of new substances with different chemical properties.