Question

Why is it a physical change to freeze water?

Answer 1

Freezing water is considered a physical change because it involves a phase transition from a liquid state to a solid state without any change in the chemical composition of the substance. During freezing, the water molecules slow down and arrange themselves into a regular, crystalline structure, forming ice. The intermolecular forces between water molecules primarily dictate this rearrangement, leading to the formation of a solid lattice. These intermolecular forces, such as hydrogen bonding, affect the physical properties of the substance, such as its shape, size, and state, but not the chemical identity of the water molecules themselves. Since no new substances are formed during freezing, it is classified as a physical change.