Question

Explain the characteristics of physical change with examples.

Answer 1

1. During a physical change, no new substances are formed. In a physical change, the chemical properties of a substance do not change. For example, when ice cube melts, water is formed. In this change, there is no new substance, but water is same both in ice and in water.
2. A physical change is usually temporary and reversible in nature. For example, when water is heated, water vapours are formed, once water vapours are cooled, water can be obtained again.
3. In a physical change, the chemical properties of a substance do not change. For example, when a piece of gold is melted, its chemical composition remains the same in the solid form and also in the liquid form.
4. In a physical change, the physical properties such as colour, shape and size of a substance may undergo a change.For example, cutting of vegetables and inflating a balloon are some examples of physical changes in which size and shape of a substance undergoes a change.