Jenna took an open bowl of leftover mashed potatoes from the refrigerator and noticed a difference in smell. She determined that chemical changes occurred since the potatoes were first placed there.

Question

Which observations most likely led to Jenna’s conclusion?

a change of odor
a decrease in temperature
a change in moisture content
a decrease in mass

Answer 1

The observation that most likely led to Jenna’s conclusion about a chemical change occurring in the leftover mashed potatoes is a change of odor.

Chemical changes often result in new substances being formed, which can lead to a change in smell. The other options (decrease in temperature, change in moisture content, decrease in mass) may indicate physical changes rather than chemical changes.