Two friends are discussing physical and chemical changes. Isabela says that when you eat, it is a physical change because when you chew, the food is only changed into smaller pieces. Mirabel says that when you eat, it is a chemical change because your body digests the food as the chemicals in your body break down the food into energy. Who is right?

Question

a
Mirabel
b
Isabela
c
Both girls are correct
d
Neither girl is correct

Answer 1

c
Both girls are correct. Eating involves both physical and chemical changes. Initially, when you chew the food and break it down into smaller pieces, it is a physical change. However, once the food reaches your stomach and is digested by the chemicals in your body, it is a chemical change as the food is broken down into energy.