Difference Between Physical and Chemical Change

The difference between Physical and Chemical change in tabular form is given below:

Basis of Difference

Physical Change

Chemical Change

Definition

Change in which the physical properties of the matter are not changed is called physical change.

Change which leads to a change in the chemical properties of the matter is called chemical change.

Nature of Change

Physical change is temporary in nature and the change brought can be reversed using simple physical processes.

Chemical change is permanent in nature and cannot be reversed.

Energy Absorption

Physical change may or may not absorb energy.

If energy is absorbed during chemical change, it is called endothermic in nature.

Release of Energy No energy is released in physical change. A chemical change may lead to the release of energy and such a change is called exothermic reaction.

Properties

The chemical properties of the products are the same as the matter that constitutes the product.

The physical and chemical properties of the products are completely different from the reactants.

Mass of Products The mass of products is the same as that of the reactants. The mass of products may or may not be the same as the mass of reactants.
Effect of Change It leads to changes in the physical properties of matter such as temperature, state, etc. It leads to a change in the physical and chemical properties of the matter due to the formation of new bonds.
Example Melting of ice, Evaporation of water, etc. Burning of paper, Alloy formation, etc.

Difference Between Physical And Chemical Change

Physical and chemical changes are two different aspects of changes that are happening on the earth. When any object’s physical composition changes then we call that physical change and when any object’s chemical composition changes we call that chemical change. But physical change and chemical change are not limited to that. So it is important to understand about different properties of physical and chemical changes.

In this article, we will explore the difference between Physical and Chemical change, along with their examples, and real-life applications.

Table of Content

  • What is a Physical Change?
    • Examples of Physical Change
  • What is a Chemical Change?
    • Examples of Chemical Change
  • Difference Between Physical and Chemical Change

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What is a Physical Change?

Change in which the chemical composition of the matter does not change but leads to change in the state of matter only is termed as physical change. The molecular composition of the matter remains the same and no new product formation takes place in physical change. There is no change in energy during physical change....

Examples of Physical Change

Evaporation of water as water can be obtained again from steam by condensation Drying of clothes as they can be again made wet with water Freezing of water to ice as the change can be reversed on melting Dissolving salt in water as both salt and water can be separated by evaporation and crystallization...

What is a Chemical Change?

Those changes which lead to a change in the chemical composition of the matter are termed chemical changes. This change leads to the formation of new products with different chemical compositions....

Examples of Chemical Change

Burning of paper Burning of coal Reaction of sulphuric acid and sodium hydroxide Curdling of milk Breaking down of food to glucose...

Difference Between Physical and Chemical Change

The difference between Physical and Chemical change in tabular form is given below:...

Conclusion of Physical and Chemical Change

Physical and Chemical changes are two ways matter can change. Physical changes affect how something looks or its state (solid, liquid, gas) without changing what it is made of. These changes are usually reversible and don’t create new substances. For example, ice melting into water, water boiling into steam, or paper being torn are physical changes. Chemical changes create new substances with different makeups....

Difference Between Physical And Chemical Change – FAQs

What is a physical change?...