The reaction of a tablet (often a soluble tablet like an effervescent tablet) in water is generally considered a chemical change due to the following reasons:
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Formation of New Substances: When you place the tablet in water, it often reacts to form new substances. For example, an effervescent tablet may contain acids and bases that react with each other and produce gas (like carbon dioxide), along with dissolved ions in solution.
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Irreversibility: Chemical changes are typically not reversible through simple physical means. Once the tablet dissolves and reacts in water, you cannot get the original tablet back. The substances produced (like dissolved ions or gases) are different from the original components of the tablet.
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Energy Change: During the reaction, there can be a release or absorption of energy in the form of heat or light. This energy change indicates a chemical transformation is occurring.
Overall, the changes occurring when a tablet is dissolved in water and reacts involve the breaking and forming of chemical bonds, which aligns with the definition of a chemical change.