some plants, like clover, have bacteria in their roots that can change nitrogen from the air into nitrogen compounds

physical or chemical change

The process in which bacteria in the roots of plants convert nitrogen from the air into nitrogen compounds is a chemical change.

plants absorb nitrogen compounds through their roots

physical or chemical change

The absorption of nitrogen compounds through the roots of plants is a physical change.

Death and decay of animals and plants returns nitrogen compounds to the soil

physical or chemical change

The death and decay of animals and plants, which returns nitrogen compounds to the soil, is a chemical change. During decomposition, organic matter is chemically broken down into simpler compounds, including nitrogen compounds, through the action of bacteria and other decomposers.

Lightning storms make nitrogen and oxygen react to form nitrogen dioxide

The reaction of nitrogen and oxygen to form nitrogen dioxide during lightning storms is a chemical change. The high energy and heat from the lightning cause the nitrogen and oxygen molecules to chemically react, resulting in the formation of nitrogen dioxide.

Nitrogen dioxide dissolves in rain

physical or chemical change

The dissolution of nitrogen dioxide in rain is a physical change. When nitrogen dioxide comes into contact with rainwater, it dissolves and becomes dispersed throughout the water. No new compounds are formed; it is simply a physical mixing of the nitrogen dioxide with water molecules.

The process of converting nitrogen from the air into nitrogen compounds by bacteria in the roots of plants is a chemical change.

Explanation:

A physical change refers to a reversible change that does not result in the formation of new substances. It involves changes in physical properties such as size, shape, appearance, or state of matter, while the chemical composition of the substance remains the same.

On the other hand, a chemical change involves the transformation of one or more substances into different substances with different chemical properties. In this case, when certain plants like clover have bacteria in their roots, they form a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. These bacteria have the ability to convert nitrogen gas (N2) from the air into usable nitrogen compounds, such as ammonia (NH3) or nitrate (NO3-). This process is known as nitrogen fixation and is a chemical change as the nitrogen molecules are being chemically transformed into different compounds.

To determine whether a change is physical or chemical, you can consider whether the change involves the formation of new substances with different chemical properties.