Question
why An aspirin is crushed into fine powder is physical change?
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Crushing an aspirin into a fine powder is considered a physical change because it alters the physical form of the substance without changing its chemical composition. Here’s a breakdown of why it's classified as a physical change:
1. **No New Substance Formed**: When aspirin is crushed, it remains chemically the same — it's still aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). The molecular structure of the compound does not change.
2. **Reversibility**: Physical changes are often reversible. While you typically cannot reform the original whole tablet from the powder easily, the crushed powder can be reformed back into a solid through processes like compaction or pressing.
3. **Change in Physical State**: The crushing alters the size and texture of the aspirin, changing its physical properties (like surface area), but it does not affect the inherent chemical properties.
4. **No Chemical Reaction Occurs**: During this process, there is no chemical reaction involved, meaning there are no changes to the bonds between atoms.
Overall, since the transformation involves only a change in physical form (from solid tablet to solid powder), it is categorized as a physical change.
1. **No New Substance Formed**: When aspirin is crushed, it remains chemically the same — it's still aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). The molecular structure of the compound does not change.
2. **Reversibility**: Physical changes are often reversible. While you typically cannot reform the original whole tablet from the powder easily, the crushed powder can be reformed back into a solid through processes like compaction or pressing.
3. **Change in Physical State**: The crushing alters the size and texture of the aspirin, changing its physical properties (like surface area), but it does not affect the inherent chemical properties.
4. **No Chemical Reaction Occurs**: During this process, there is no chemical reaction involved, meaning there are no changes to the bonds between atoms.
Overall, since the transformation involves only a change in physical form (from solid tablet to solid powder), it is categorized as a physical change.