What is the Difference Between Physical and Chemical Change?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between physical and chemical changes lies in the composition of the substances involved. In a physical change, the appearance or form of the matter changes, but the kind of matter remains the same, and no new substance is produced. On the other hand, in a chemical change, the kind of matter changes, and at least one new substance with new properties is formed. Some key differences between physical and chemical changes include:
- Reversibility: Physical changes are reversible, meaning the original substance can be recovered, while chemical changes are irreversible, and the original substance cannot be recovered.
- Production of Energy: Chemical changes usually involve the production of energy (in the form of heat, light, sound, etc.), while physical changes do not.
- Temporary vs. Permanent: Physical changes are temporary, meaning the substance can revert to its original state, while chemical changes are permanent and cannot be undone.
Examples of physical changes include cutting paper into tiny pieces or crushing a rock, which can be easily reversed. Examples of chemical changes include burning wood, cooking an egg, or rusting iron, which cannot be reversed and result in the formation of new substances.
Comparative Table: Physical vs Chemical Change
Here is a table comparing the differences between physical and chemical changes:
| Feature | Physical Change | Chemical Change |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A change in the appearance, form, or state of matter, but not in its chemical composition | A change in the composition of matter, resulting in the formation of at least one new substance with new properties |
| Examples | Melting ice, boiling water, freezing water, flexing a piece of steel | Burning wood, mixing hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide to form salt and water, photosynthesis in plants |
| Energy | Usually does not involve the production of energy | Often accompanied by the production of energy (heat, light, sound, etc.) |
| Reversibility | Physical changes are easily reversible, allowing the original substance to be recovered | Chemical changes are irreversible, and the original substance cannot be recovered |
| Properties | Affects physical properties (texture, color, temperature, shape, density, solubility, mass, volume, etc.) | Affects chemical properties and results in the formation of new substances with new properties |
It is essential to recognize the difference between physical and chemical changes as they involve different processes and have distinct outcomes.
- Chemical vs Physical Reaction
- Chemical vs Physical Properties
- Physical vs Chemical Weathering
- Physical vs Chemical Equilibrium
- Physical vs Chemical Digestion
- Physical vs Biological Science
- Chemical Weathering vs Mechanical Weathering
- Nuclear Reaction vs Chemical Reaction
- Chemical vs Biochemical Reactions
- Physical vs Chemical Cross Linking
- Thermochemical Equation vs Chemical Equation
- Alchemy vs Chemistry
- Chemistry vs Chemical Engineering
- Chemical Kinetics vs Thermodynamics
- Chemical vs Organic Evolution
- Chemical vs Physical Sunscreen
- Liquid vs Solid
- Chemistry vs Biochemistry
- State of Matter vs Phase of Matter