Chemical changes result in a new substance, but keep in mind that no new atoms are created. Existing atoms rearrange as chemical bonds break and new bonds form. That’s what creates the new substance. For instance, rust on your bike can form after it rains. It forms from atoms in the rainwater, the steel of your bike and oxygen in the air. No new atoms are created that weren’t present before the change.

Question

In the passage above, what is the purpose of the underlined sentence?

A
to give an example of how steel can physically change

B
to support the statement that no new atoms are created in a chemical change

C
to support the statement that rain can damage many materials

D
to give an example of how the weather can affect a person’s belongings

Answer 1

B
to support the statement that no new atoms are created in a chemical change