Discover the fascinating differences between physical and chemical changes with our detailed Class 7 Science notes on ‘Physical and Chemical Changes’!

Chapter 5: Physical and Chemical Changes

Overview of the Chapter

Understanding the Chapter

This chapter explains the differences between physical and chemical changes, provides examples of each, and explores the significance of these changes in everyday life. It also discusses how to identify whether a change is physical or chemical and the concept of reversible and irreversible changes.

Physical Changes

Characteristics of Physical Changes

Definition: A physical change is a change in which no new substances are formed.
Reversibility: Most physical changes are reversible.
Examples: Melting of ice, boiling of water, breaking of glass, and dissolving sugar in water.

Examples of Physical Changes

Melting of Ice: Ice melts to form water, and this process can be reversed by freezing the water back into ice.
Boiling of Water: Water boils to form steam, which can be condensed back into water.
Dissolving Sugar in Water: Sugar dissolves in water, forming a solution that can be separated by evaporation.

Chemical Changes

Characteristics of Chemical Changes

Definition: A chemical change is a change in which new substances with different properties are formed.
Reversibility: Most chemical changes are irreversible.
Examples: Rusting of iron, burning of wood, souring of milk, and cooking of food.

Examples of Chemical Changes

Rusting of Iron: Iron reacts with oxygen and moisture to form rust, which is an entirely new substance.
Burning of Wood: Wood burns to form ash, carbon dioxide, and water vapor, which are different from the original wood.
Souring of Milk: Milk turns sour due to the formation of lactic acid by bacteria, which is an irreversible change.

Chemical Reactions

Formation of Magnesium Oxide: When magnesium ribbon is burnt in air, it reacts with oxygen to form magnesium oxide:
2Mg + O2 → 2MgO
Vinegar and Baking Soda Reaction: When vinegar (acetic acid) reacts with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), it produces carbon dioxide gas, water, and sodium acetate:
CH3COOH + NaHCO3 → CO2 + H2O + CH3COONa

Indicators of Chemical Changes

Observing Chemical Changes

Color Change: A chemical change often results in a change in color.
Formation of Gas: The formation of gas bubbles indicates a chemical reaction.
Formation of Precipitate: A solid that separates out from a solution indicates a chemical change.
Temperature Change: A chemical reaction may release or absorb heat, resulting in a temperature change.

Reversible and Irreversible Changes

Reversible Changes

Definition: Changes that can be undone or reversed.
Examples: Freezing and melting of water, stretching of a rubber band, and dissolving salt in water.

Irreversible Changes

Definition: Changes that cannot be undone or reversed.
Examples: Burning of paper, cooking of food, and rusting of iron.

Galvanization

Understanding Galvanization

Definition: Galvanization is the process of applying a protective zinc coating to iron or steel to prevent rusting.
Process: The iron or steel is dipped into molten zinc, forming a corrosion-resistant layer.
Importance: Galvanization protects metal structures, such as bridges and railings, from rust and extends their lifespan.

Practical Applications

Everyday Examples

Cooking: Involves both physical changes (e.g., melting butter) and chemical changes (e.g., baking a cake).
Industrial Processes: Chemical changes are utilized in manufacturing products like plastics, pharmaceuticals, and construction materials.

Importance of Understanding Changes

Safety: Knowing whether a change is physical or chemical helps in handling substances safely.
Environmental Impact: Understanding chemical changes helps in managing pollution and waste.

Conclusion

Summary of the Chapter

Physical changes involve changes in state or appearance without forming new substances and are usually reversible.

Chemical changes result in the formation of new substances with different properties and are usually irreversible.

Indicators of chemical changes include color change, gas formation, precipitate formation, and temperature change.

Understanding these changes is important for safety, environmental management, and various industrial applications.

Additional Information

Key Terms and Concepts

Physical Change: A change in which no new substances are formed and is often reversible.
Chemical Change: A change in which new substances with different properties are formed and is usually irreversible.
Reversible Change: A change that can be undone.
Irreversible Change: A change that cannot be undone.
Galvanization: The process of applying a protective zinc coating to iron or steel to prevent rusting.

Important Examples and Cases

Rusting of Iron: An example of a chemical change where iron reacts with oxygen and moisture.
Boiling of Water: An example of a physical change where water changes state from liquid to gas.
Magnesium Oxide Formation: Burning magnesium ribbon to form magnesium oxide.

Notable Observations

Effect of Temperature: Temperature changes can indicate chemical reactions, such as exothermic and endothermic reactions.
Role of Catalysts: Catalysts can speed up chemical reactions without being consumed in the process.
1.  What is a physical change?

A physical change is a change in which no new substances are formed and is usually reversible.

2.  What is a chemical change?

A chemical change is a change in which new substances with different properties are formed and is usually irreversible.

3.  Can you give an example of a physical change?

Melting of ice is an example of a physical change.

4.  Can you give an example of a chemical change?

Rusting of iron is an example of a chemical change.

5.  What happens to water when it boils?

Water changes state from liquid to gas, which is a physical change.

6.  What is rusting?

Rusting is a chemical change where iron reacts with oxygen and moisture to form rust.

7.  What is the difference between reversible and irreversible changes?

Reversible changes can be undone, while irreversible changes cannot be undone.

8.  Give an example of a reversible change.

Freezing and melting of water is an example of a reversible change.

9.  Give an example of an irreversible change.

Burning of paper is an example of an irreversible change.

10.  What is galvanization?

Galvanization is the process of applying a protective zinc coating to iron or steel to prevent rusting.

11.  What happens during the formation of magnesium oxide?

Magnesium ribbon burns in air to react with oxygen and form magnesium oxide.

12.  What is the reaction between vinegar and baking soda?

When vinegar (acetic acid) reacts with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), it produces carbon dioxide gas, water, and sodium acetate.

13.  What indicates a chemical change?

Indicators of a chemical change include color change, gas formation, precipitate formation, and temperature change.

14.What is a precipitate, and how does it relate to chemical changes? 

A precipitate is a solid that separates out from a solution during a chemical reaction, indicating that a chemical change has occurred.

15.  What is the importance of galvanization?

Galvanization protects metal structures from rust and extends their lifespan.

16.  What are some practical applications of chemical changes?

Chemical changes are utilized in manufacturing products like plastics, pharmaceuticals, and construction materials.

17.  How does understanding physical and chemical changes help in safety?

Knowing whether a change is physical or chemical helps in handling substances safely.

18.  What is the role of temperature in chemical reactions?

Temperature changes can indicate chemical reactions, such as exothermic and endothermic reactions.

19.  What is the general equation for a neutralization reaction?

The general equation is: Acid + Base → Salt + Water

20.  How does the stretching of a rubber band classify as a physical change?

Stretching a rubber band changes its shape, but no new substances are formed, and it is reversible.

21.  What is the significance of observing gas formation in a reaction?

Gas formation indicates that a chemical reaction has occurred.

22.  How does dissolving sugar in water classify as a physical change?

Dissolving sugar in water forms a solution, but no new substances are formed, and it can be reversed by evaporation.

23.  Why is cooking considered a chemical change?

Cooking involves chemical reactions that change the food’s properties and cannot be reversed.

24.  What are catalysts in chemical reactions?

Catalysts are substances that speed up chemical reactions without being consumed in the process.

25.  How does the burning of wood classify as a chemical change?

Burning wood forms ash, carbon dioxide, and water vapor, which are different from the original wood, making it a chemical change.

MCQs

Chapter 5: Acids, Bases and Salts MCQs

1. What is a physical change?

2. What is galvanization?

3. Which of the following is a chemical change?

4. What happens when magnesium burns in oxygen?

5. What happens when salt is dissolved in water?

MCQs

6. What is the general equation for a neutralization reaction?

7. Which of the following is a characteristic of a chemical change?

8. What indicates a chemical change has occurred?

9. Which process is an example of a reversible change?

10. What is the reaction between vinegar and baking soda?

MCQs

11. What is the importance of galvanization?

12. How does cooking classify as a chemical change?