UPSC Exam  >  UPSC Questions  >  What is physical change and chemical change? Start Learning for Free
What is physical change and chemical change?
Most Upvoted Answer
What is physical change and chemical change?
Understanding Physical Changes
Physical changes refer to alterations in a substance that do not affect its chemical composition. These changes can often be reversed and typically involve changes in state, shape, or size.
  • Examples: Melting of ice, boiling of water, and dissolving sugar in water.
  • Characteristics: The substance retains its original properties, and no new substances are formed.
  • Reversibility: Many physical changes can be easily reversed, like freezing water back into ice.

Understanding Chemical Changes
Chemical changes, on the other hand, involve a transformation that alters the chemical composition of a substance, resulting in the formation of new substances. These changes are often irreversible.
  • Examples: Rusting of iron, burning of wood, and digestion of food.
  • Characteristics: New substances are formed with different properties from the original substances.
  • Irreversibility: Most chemical changes cannot be reversed using simple physical means.

Key Differences
  • Composition: Physical changes do not alter chemical composition; chemical changes do.
  • Reversibility: Physical changes are usually reversible; chemical changes are often irreversible.
  • Energy Changes: Chemical changes may involve energy changes (heat, light), while physical changes usually do not.

Understanding these differences is fundamental in fields such as chemistry and environmental science, as they help in predicting the behavior of substances in various conditions.
Explore Courses for UPSC exam

Top Courses for UPSC

What is physical change and chemical change?
Question Description
What is physical change and chemical change? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about What is physical change and chemical change? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for What is physical change and chemical change?.
Solutions for What is physical change and chemical change? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for UPSC. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for UPSC Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of What is physical change and chemical change? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of What is physical change and chemical change?, a detailed solution for What is physical change and chemical change? has been provided alongside types of What is physical change and chemical change? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice What is physical change and chemical change? tests, examples and also practice UPSC tests.
Explore Courses for UPSC exam

Top Courses for UPSC

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev