Physical Changes Flashcards

1️⃣ Familiarise yourself with the flashcards:

  • Look through all the flashcards to see what's on both sides.
  • Make sure you understand the information on each card. If something's unclear, click the link to the revision notes at the bottom of the page for more details.

2️⃣ Test yourself:

  • Look at the question or prompt on each card and try to remember the answer before flipping it over.
  • Check the answer and make a note of any cards you find challenging and need to go over more.

3️⃣ Consistently Review and Practice:

  • Use spaced repetition: spend more time on the cards you struggle with and go over them more often.
  • Regularly review all the flashcards to help you better understand and retain the information over time.

Note: We may include questions that have multiple correct answers. It's useful to remember specific examples to understand these concepts better.

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What is meant by a physical change?

A physical change is when a substance changes its form or state but no new substance is made.

During a physical change, what happens to the particles of a substance?

The particles stay the same type, but their arrangement and movement can change.

Is mass conserved in a physical change? Give a simple example.

Yes. The mass before and after is the same. For example, 100 g of ice melts to 100 g of water.

What is the main difference between a physical change and a chemical change?

In a physical change no new substance is formed; in a chemical change at least one new substance is formed.

Are changes of state, such as melting and boiling, physical or chemical changes? Why?

They are physical changes because the substance is the same before and after, only its state changes.

Give three examples of physical changes.

Examples include melting ice, dissolving sugar in water, and cutting paper.

Which properties of a substance can change in a physical change?

Its state, shape, size, or appearance can change, but it is still the same substance.

Does a physical change alter the chemical formula of a substance?

No. The chemical formula stays the same because the substance is not changed into something new.

What does it mean if a change is reversible?

It means the substance can be changed back to what it was before the change.

Are all physical changes easy to reverse? Give an example.

No. For example, breaking glass is a physical change but it is very hard to reverse.

When salt dissolves in water, is this a physical or chemical change? How do you know?

It is a physical change because no new substance is made and the salt can be got back by evaporating the water.