Which can occur in a physical change?

The mass can increase.
The particles can arrange in different ways.
The mass can decrease.
The atoms can bond to different atoms

1 answer

In a physical change, the following can occur:

  1. The mass can increase. - This can happen if a physical change involves adding material, such as dissolving a substance in water.

  2. The particles can arrange in different ways. - In a physical change, particles may change their arrangement, such as when ice melts into water or water evaporates into vapor.

The other two options do not typically occur in a physical change:

  1. The mass can decrease. - This is generally associated with a chemical change (e.g., gas release).

  2. The atoms can bond to different atoms. - This occurs in chemical changes, not physical changes.

Thus, the correct statements regarding what can occur in a physical change are that the mass can increase and the particles can arrange in different ways.