In our daily life, we encounter hundreds of changes that can even occur in society or in different materials. The changes in matter that we experience can be of two types; physical change or chemical change. The change in the physical traits of matter such as color, density and volume is known as a physical change, while the change in the internal structure, which leads to the formation of the new chemical, is called a chemical change. The other big difference between these two changes is that the physical change is the reversible change and the matter or the object can return to its original condition, on the other hand, a chemical change is irreversible since the change in the internal structure leads to the new product training.

Comparative chart

What is physical change?

Physical change is the change in physical features such as the shape, size, and volume of an object. This type of change can also face changes in temperature or the rearrangement of the atoms of the object, although the chemical composition of the object remains the same. This change is a quick change, and the object can be easily returned to its original shape. The change in shape and size of the object are some of the outstanding characteristics of this type of change, but the new product is never formed. The transformed object can be totally different in shape or size, but the chemical composition remains the same. The rearrangement of molecules takes place in physical change, which is often interpreted as the symptoms of chemical change. But they are not,

Example of physical change

Freezing water to ice is one of the best examples of physical change. The change in the physical properties of the object such as shape, size and volume takes place, but in both conditions the chemical composition of the object remains the same.

What is chemical change?

A chemical change is a change that occurs in the internal structure of matter. The change leads to the formation of the new product. The newly formed product has chemical functions and chemical properties different from those of its components. When the chemical change occurs, the atoms of the object rearrange or combine in such a way that the chemical composition of the product changes. The original substances or components of the chemical change are known as reagents. The result of the reaction between the reactant is called the product. Chemical change is a complex process that takes more time than physical change. Once the change occurs, it cannot be reversed or returned to its original position. The change in energy and temperature are two of the prominent signs of chemical change. The chemical reaction takes place in chemical change. Therefore, the evolution of energy is an obligatory process; energy can be absorbed or released, it depends on the type of chemical reaction that takes place.

Example of chemical change

The making of an omelette is a physical change, the egg and other spices are the reagents in the case, which lead to the formation of an omelette in the presence of heat. The change in temperature and chemical composition takes place in this case, and the newly formed product tortilla cannot be reverted to its original shape.

Key differences

1. Physical change is the change in the physical properties of the object, for example the change in shape, size and volume, while chemical change is the change in the internal composition of the object and results in the formation of the new product.
2. Physical change is usually rapid change, while the process of chemical change can be a time-consuming process.
3. In a chemical change, new products are formed, while in a physical change, a change in the shape or size of the object may take place, but no new products are formed.
4. The objects that we obtain with a physical change can return to their original shape, since it is a reversible process, while the objects that we obtain with a chemical change cannot return to their original shape, since it is an irreversible process.
5. Energy absorption or evolution does not take place in physical change, while energy absorption or evolution takes place in chemical change, since the chemical reaction takes place in this change.