During a camping trip, Sierra collected dry branches and broke them into smaller pieces. She then placed the sticks in a fire pit and used a match to light the sticks on fire. Next, she propped a metal pan of water over the fire and heated it until the water boiled.

Question

Which list correctly describes physical and chemical changes that occurred in this scenario?

physical change: breaking sticks
chemical changes: lighting the fire, boiling water
physical change: boiling water
chemical change: breaking sticks, lighting the fire
physical changes: lighting the fire, boiling water
chemical change: breaking sticks
physical changes: breaking sticks, boiling water
chemical change: lighting the fire

Answer 1

In this scenario, the correct list that describes the physical and chemical changes is:

• physical change: breaking sticks
• chemical change: lighting the fire

Here's the reasoning:

1. Breaking sticks is a physical change because it alters the form of the sticks without changing their chemical composition.
2. Lighting the fire involves a chemical change because the combustion of the wood alters its chemical structure, producing new substances (like carbon dioxide and ash).

Boiling water is also considered a physical change because it involves a change in the state of the water (from liquid to gas) without changing its chemical composition.

So the statement would ideally summarize this as:

• Physical changes: breaking sticks, boiling water
• Chemical change: lighting the fire

However, among the options provided, the best match is:

• physical change: breaking sticks
• chemical change: lighting the fire.