Ripping paper is classified as a physical change because it alters the physical form of the paper without changing its chemical composition. When you rip paper, you're simply breaking it into smaller pieces; the material remains the same, and its chemical properties (such as the cellulose it is made from) do not change. You can also easily recombine the ripped pieces back into a single sheet of paper if desired.
On the other hand, burning paper is a chemical change because it involves a transformation that alters the chemical structure of the paper. When paper is burned, it reacts with oxygen in the air, leading to a combustion reaction that produces new substances, such as ash, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. During this process, the original material (the paper) is fundamentally changed into different chemical compounds, and this change cannot be reversed; once the paper is burned, you cannot restore it to its original form.
In summary:
- Ripping paper: Physical change (no new substances formed, and the original material remains the same).
- Burning paper: Chemical change (new substances are formed, and the original material is transformed into different compounds).
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