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Physical Changes

Definition

Physical changes refer to changes affecting the form of a chemical substance, but not its chemical composition.

Analogy

Imagine you have play dough and you mold it into different shapes - a ball, a cube, or even an animal figure. The shape changes but it's still play dough. That's what happens during physical changes!

Related terms

Phase Change: A type of physical change where matter transitions from one state (solid, liquid, gas) to another without changing its chemical composition.

Melting Point: The temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid through heating; this is an example of physical change.

Dissolution: The process by which a solute forms a solution in solvent; this too represents physical change as no new substance is formed.

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Subjects (1)



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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.