A student cuts some fabric into two pieces. Is this change physical or chemical?(1 point)
Responses
It is a chemical change because there is no phase change.
It is a chemical change because there is no phase change.
It is a physical change because the process is reversible.
It is a physical change because the process is reversible.
It is a chemical change because the size changes.
It is a chemical change because the size changes.
It is a physical change because there is no reaction.
It is a physical change because there is no reaction.
The correct response is: "It is a physical change because there is no reaction."
To determine whether the change is physical or chemical, we need to understand the definitions of these two types of changes.
A physical change is a change in the form or appearance of a substance that does not involve a change in its chemical composition. In other words, the molecules of the substance remain the same, only their arrangement or physical state changes. Examples of physical changes include melting, freezing, cutting, bending, and dissolving.
On the other hand, a chemical change is a change that results in the formation of new substances with different chemical compositions. This type of change involves breaking and forming chemical bonds, resulting in a rearrangement of atoms. Examples of chemical changes include burning, rusting, fermenting, and reacting with other substances.
In this case, when the student cuts the fabric into two pieces, no new substances are formed, and the chemical composition of the fabric remains the same. The only change that occurs is a physical change in the arrangement of the fabric fibers. Therefore, the change of cutting the fabric is a physical change.
It is important to note that the presence or absence of a phase change (such as melting or boiling) is not the determining factor for whether a change is physical or chemical. Instead, the focus should be on whether there is a change in the chemical composition of the substance.