Why is it a physical change to freeze water?(1 point)
Responses
A temperature change occurs.
A temperature change occurs.
The new and original substances are different.
The new and original substances are different.
Only a phase change occurs.
Only a phase change occurs.
Heat is released during the process.
The correct answer is: Only a phase change occurs.
When water freezes, it undergoes a phase change from a liquid to a solid. This is considered a physical change because the chemical composition of water remains the same before and after it freezes. No new substances are formed, and no chemical reactions take place.
To understand why freezing is a physical change, it's important to know the difference between physical and chemical changes. Physical changes involve a transformation that does not alter the chemical composition of a substance. Examples of physical changes include changes in state (like melting, freezing, boiling) or changes in shape or size (like cutting, crushing, dissolving).
In the case of freezing water, the molecules slow down as the temperature is lowered, eventually coming together to form a rigid, crystal-like structure. This change in the physical state from a liquid to a solid is known as freezing, and it is a reversible process. When heat is added to the solid ice, it will melt and return to its liquid state.
It's also worth noting that heat is released during the process of freezing, which is why objects feel cold when they come into contact with ice. This heat release is a result of the energy being released by the water molecules as they transition from a more energetic, disordered state (liquid) to a less energetic, ordered state (solid).