When a chemist adds liquid and it bursts into flames is that a chemical or physical change? Why?

3 answers

When a chemist adds a liquid that bursts into flames, this is an example of a chemical change. This is because the reaction involves a combustion process, where a substance (the liquid) reacts with oxygen in the air to produce new substances (such as carbon dioxide and water) and releases energy in the form of heat and light (flames).

In a chemical change, the original substances are transformed into different substances, and this change is often accompanied by observable signs such as heat, light, and the formation of gas or precipitate. In contrast, a physical change does not result in the formation of new substances; it typically involves changes in state or appearance, such as melting, boiling, or dissolving.

Therefore, the combustion of a liquid that causes it to burst into flames is a clear indication of a chemical change taking place.

Simplify this please

When a chemist adds a liquid that bursts into flames, it's a chemical change. This happens because the liquid reacts with oxygen in the air, creating new substances and producing heat and light (the flames). In a chemical change, the original materials are transformed into something different, while a physical change just alters the form or state without creating new substances. So, flames from a liquid indicate a chemical change.