Chemical Changes

Definition

Chemical changes involve altering the identity or composition of matter at its molecular level. This results in new substances being formed with different properties than those of original substances.

Analogy

Imagine you're an artist creating a sculpture out of clay - once you mold it into shape, it's not just clay anymore; it's now an entirely new creation with different characteristics. That's what happens during a chemical change!

Related terms

Physical Change: A type of change where no new substance is formed; only physical properties such as shape or state may be altered.

Chemical Reaction: The process by which one or more substances transform into different substances via breaking and forming bonds.

Conservation of Mass: Principle stating that mass cannot be created nor destroyed during any physical or chemical changes.