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Difference Between Physical And Chemical Change With Examples
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Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry
The physical and chemical changes are the processes occurring in nature almost all the time. Physical changes imply the changes taking place in the physical state like smell, appearance, colour, or texture of matter. On the other hand, chemical changes include the alteration in the chemical composition of a substance. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand the difference between physical and chemical changes to understand the various phenomena observed in nature. This Chemistry article will help you understand the differences in detail.
What is Physical Change?
An alteration in the physical attributes of a substance is considered a physical change. Examples of physical characteristics include change into a gas, change in strength, change in durability, alteration into crystal form, changes in texture, and change in size, shape, colour, volume, and density. Phase transition is usually observed during physical changes.
There is no breaking and making of bonds in physical changes. Simply put, the changes taking place through the process of bending, melting, boiling, cutting, freezing, etc., are called physical changes. One such example is tempering steel to make a knife blade. The repetitive heating and hammering of a steel blank alter the material’s hardness, flexibility, and capacity to keep an edge sharp.
Some other common examples of physical changes are as follows:
- Glass breaking
- Paper shredding
- Boiling water
- Crushing a can
- Cutting of fruits
- Kneading the dough
- Melting of ice
- Breaking of egg
- Chopping the vegetable
- Folding the parer
What is Chemical Change?
The change in the chemical composition of a substance or matter is considered a chemical change. Therefore, new products are formed through chemical reactions or changes. Atoms are rearranged during chemical reactions, and new products are formed along with the process. It also causes an energy change.
The reaction of sodium and water to produce sodium hydroxide and hydrogen is an illustration of a chemical transition. A great deal of energy is released, causing the hydrogen gas to burn spontaneously in the atmosphere. Since the final products differ chemically from the initial components, this is an example of a chemical change.
Some of the most common examples of chemical changes observed in daily life are as follows:
- Digestion of food
- Formation of Curd
- Cooking of food
- Souring of milk
- Burning of paper or wood
- Chemical changes in battery
- Rotting of food
- Photosynthesis in Plants
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Difference between Physical and Chemical Changes
The chemical composition of a substance does not change when physical changes take place. On the other hand, a substance’s chemical makeup changes during chemical changes. The key differences between physical changes and chemical changes are discussed in the table below:
| Physical Changes | Chemical Changes |
| The change in the matter or any substance that does not cause any change in the chemical composition is called a physical change. | The chemical composition of a substance or material is changed through the process of chemical changes. |
| Physical changes can be reversible. | Chemical changes are irreversible. |
| These changes occur due to melting, boiling, cutting, bending, or phase change of a substance. | These changes mainly occur due to the change in the chemical composition of a substance and the rearrangement of the molecules. |
| Physical changes do not involve the use or production of energy. | Chemical changes occur through chemical reactions which involve the use and release of energy to accomplish the change. |
| Some of the common examples of changes are the melting of ice, tearing of paper, breaking of glass, chopping vegetables, etc. | Some of the most common examples of chemical changes are the souring of milk, cooking of food, digestion of food, photosynthesis, etc. |
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Difference Between Physical and Chemical Changes FAQs
What property stays the same during physical and chemical changes?
The mass of a substance remains constant during physical and chemical changes.
Can physical and chemical changes occur together?
Yes, physical and chemical changes can occur together.
What are 5 examples of physical change?
Paper shredding, Boiling water, Crushing a can, Cutting fruits, Kneading the dough, Melting of ice.
What are 5 examples of a chemical change in everyday life?
Digestion of food, Formation of Curd, Cooking of food, Souring of milk, Burning of paper or wood
Is boiling water a chemical change?
No, boiling water is not a chemical change.