Jenny takes a piece of paper and dips it in a bowl of water. The paper is now damp and mushy. Which of the following is/are true about the change that occurs when the paper gets wet?

Question

I. It is a physical change.
II. It makes a new substance.
III. It is a chemical change.

A.
I only
B.
II only
C.
II and III only
D.
I and II only

Answer 1

The correct answer is A. I only.

Here's the reasoning:

• I. It is a physical change. (True) When the paper gets wet, it absorbs water. This is a physical change because the paper's composition remains the same; it is still paper, albeit damp.

• II. It makes a new substance. (False) The wet paper is not a new substance. It remains paper, just in a different state (damp rather than dry).

• III. It is a chemical change. (False) A chemical change involves the formation of a new substance. Since the paper does not change into a new substance when it gets wet, this statement is incorrect.

Thus, only statement I is true.