Which of the following everyday activities are physical changes, and which are chemical changes?
a)salting ice on a driveway
b)burning leaves
c)mixing sand with soil
d)composting cut vegetation
e)using a glue gun
a = physical
b = chemical
c = ?
d = ?
e = chemical
Please correct me if I'm wrong, and I am not sure of c and d, which is why I have not provided an answer.
a is right. b is right. e is wrong.
c. mixing sand with soil. What different substance was formed? None, therefore, this a physical change. Same as adding water to a glass from the faucet.
d.This can be viewed two ways. If you are talking about the composting itself (that is, the act of composting) it is a physical change. That is no different than placing the morning newspaper in a chair or throwing it in the garbage bag. But if you are talking about what happens to the compost pile AFTER all of it has been mixed up, that is a decaying reaction and that is chemical.
e.Using a glue gun means pulling the trigger of the gun. That is a physical change. Same thing as opening the faucet to pour a glass of water.
Thanks for your great explanation, I am able to understand better, thank you:-)
You're correct about a) salting ice on a driveway being a physical change, as it only involves a change in the state of matter.
b) Burning leaves is indeed a chemical change, as it involves the combustion of the leaves, resulting in the production of new substances such as ash and gases.
c) Mixing sand with soil is a physical change, as it does not involve a chemical reaction but only a physical blending of the two substances.
d) Composting cut vegetation is primarily a biological process, where microorganisms break down the organic matter. It can be considered both a physical and chemical change, as the organic matter undergoes decomposition and transforms into simpler compounds through biological and chemical reactions.
e) Using a glue gun involves a chemical change. The action of applying heat to the glue stick causes it to melt and then solidify, resulting in a new substance with different properties.
So, to summarize:
a) Physical change
b) Chemical change
c) Physical change
d) Both physical and chemical change
e) Chemical change
You're mostly correct! Let's determine the remaining activities:
c) Mixing sand with soil: This is a physical change. When you mix sand with soil, you are combining two substances physically, but no chemical reaction occurs. The properties of the sand and soil do not change.
d) Composting cut vegetation: Composting involves the decomposition of organic materials like cut vegetation. This is a chemical change because the organic matter breaks down through microbial activity, releasing nutrients and transforming the materials into compost.
So, the correct answers are:
a) Salting ice on a driveway - Physical change
b) Burning leaves - Chemical change
c) Mixing sand with soil - Physical change
d) Composting cut vegetation - Chemical change
e) Using a glue gun - Chemical change