Physical Change
Definition and meaning of Physical Change in chemistry.
A physical change is a change in matter that alters its physical properties (such as state, shape, or color) without changing the identity or chemical composition of the substance.
In more detail
During a physical change, the particles and chemical bonds remain unchanged; only the arrangement or phase of matter changes. Examples include melting ice, dissolving salt, and cutting paper. Physical changes can be reversible (like freezing and melting water) or irreversible (like cutting paper) but they never produce new chemical substances.
Key facts
| No new substances form | Chemical formula stays the same |
|---|---|
| Physical properties affected | Shape, state, color, texture |
| Type | Reversible or irreversible |
| Field | General Chemistry |
When ice melts into liquid water, the H2O molecules remain chemically identical; only the physical arrangement of the molecules changes from a solid to a liquid.
Frequently asked questions
Is freezing water a physical change?
Yes; the water molecules remain H2O in both solid and liquid forms, and the change is reversible.
Is burning a physical or chemical change?
Burning is a chemical change because it creates new substances (carbon dioxide, water vapor) from the original fuel.