Physical vs Chemical Change Lab
Classify 12 everyday scenarios as physical or chemical changes. Provide your reasoning for each, collect your results in a data table, and write a structured lab report with your conclusions.
Controls
Ice Melting
An ice cube sits in a warm room and slowly turns into liquid water.
What type of change is this?
Jump to scenario:
Data Table
(0 rows)| # | Scenario | Your Answer | Correct Answer | Correct? | Reasoning |
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Reference Guide
Physical Changes
A physical change alters the form, shape, size, or state of a substance without changing its chemical composition. The same substance is present before and after the change.
- The substance can usually be returned to its original form.
- No new substance is created.
- Examples: cutting, bending, melting, freezing, dissolving, boiling.
When ice melts, water changes from solid to liquid but remains H2O. When glass breaks, the pieces are still glass with the same chemical makeup.
Chemical Changes
A chemical change (chemical reaction) produces one or more new substances with different properties from the starting materials. The original substance is consumed.
- Usually difficult or impossible to reverse.
- New substances with new properties are formed.
- Examples: burning, rusting, cooking, souring, reacting acids and bases.
When wood burns, the cellulose reacts with oxygen to form ash, water vapor, and carbon dioxide. These cannot be converted back into wood.
Clues to Identify Each Type
Signs of a physical change
- Change in shape, size, or state only
- Same material after the change
- Easily reversible
Signs of a chemical change
- Gas is produced (bubbles, smoke)
- Permanent color change
- Energy released (heat, light, sound)
- New smell or taste develops
- Formation of a precipitate (solid from liquids)