Physical changes involve alterations in the form or appearance of a substance without changing its chemical composition. Here are two examples from the world around us:
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Melting Ice: When ice is heated, it changes from solid to liquid water. This is a physical change because the ice (solid water) and the resulting liquid water are both H₂O, and no chemical bonds are broken or formed during the process. The change is reversible; if you freeze the water, it will turn back into ice.
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Dissolving Sugar in Water: When sugar is added to water, it dissolves and forms a sugar solution. This is considered a physical change because the sugar molecules are dispersed in the water, but their chemical structure remains unchanged. The sugar can be recovered by evaporating the water, demonstrating that the process is reversible.
In both examples, the identity of the substances involved remains the same, which is a key characteristic of physical changes.