Why is it physical change to freeze water?
1. A temperature change occurs.
2. The new and original substances are different.
3. Only a phase change occurs.
4. Heat is released during the process.
3. Only a phase change occurs.
The correct answer is:
3. Only a phase change occurs.
When water freezes, it undergoes a physical change, meaning there is no change in the chemical composition of the substance. The water molecules rearrange and form a solid structure, ice. This phase change occurs due to a decrease in temperature, but there is no release of heat during the freezing process. So, the correct answer is option 3.
The answer is: 1. A temperature change occurs.
Explanation:
Freezing water involves a physical change because it is a process where the temperature of water decreases, causing it to solidify into ice. When the temperature of water drops below its freezing point (0 degrees Celsius or 32 degrees Fahrenheit), the kinetic energy of the water molecules decreases. As a result, the water molecules slow down and come closer together, forming a rigid structure with a fixed arrangement.
During this process, no new substances are formed, as freezing water simply involves a phase change from liquid to solid. The molecules in both liquid water and solid ice are made up of the same H2O atoms, and the total number of atoms remains constant.
Additionally, heat is released during the process of freezing. When water molecules slow down and lose kinetic energy, the excess energy is released into the surroundings as heat. This is why we often feel cold when touching an object that has recently frozen or is in the process of freezing water.