Chemistry: A Molecular Approach (3rd Edition)

Published by Prentice Hall
ISBN 10: 0321809246
ISBN 13: 978-0-32180-924-7

Chapter 1 - Sections 1.1-1.8 - Exercises - Review Questions - Page 37: 17

Answer

A physical change only changes the state or appearance of the substance and not its chemical composition. A chemical change does alter the chemical composition of the substance, turning it into something else entirely.

Work Step by Step

A phase change, such as water boiling or vaporizing, is a physical change. As iron rusts it changes from pure iron to iron oxide, which changes its physical appearance but also its arrangement of atoms.
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