Is crystallization a chemical or physical change?
Does the substance change? NO. Is it the same material chemically? yes. Then it must be a physical change.
Thank you.
Chemical change
To determine whether crystallization is a chemical or physical change, we need to understand the difference between these two types of changes.
A physical change is a change in the physical properties of a substance without altering its chemical composition. In other words, the substance remains the same at the molecular level. Examples of physical changes include changes in state (e.g., solid to liquid), changes in shape, or changes in size.
On the other hand, a chemical change involves the rearrangement of atoms or molecules, resulting in the formation of new substances with different chemical compositions. Chemical changes are typically accompanied by the release or absorption of energy. Examples of chemical changes include combustion, oxidation, and decomposition reactions.
Now, let's consider crystallization.
Crystallization is the process by which a solid forms from a solution or from a melt. It involves the cooling or evaporation of a solvent, causing the dissolved solute particles to come together and arrange into a regular, repeating pattern, forming a crystal lattice.
In terms of whether crystallization is a chemical or physical change, it is generally considered a physical change. This is because during the crystallization process, there is no alteration in the chemical composition of the substance. The particles that make up the crystal are the same as those present in the solution or melt. The process of crystallization only affects the arrangement of these particles.
To summarize, crystallization is a physical change as it involves the rearrangement of particles in a regular pattern without any change in the chemical composition of the substance.