Reversing Changes

Can physical and chemical changes be reversed?

Many physical changes are easily reversed. They
do not change the composition of a substance. For
example, if an ice cube melts, you could freeze the
liquid water to make another ice cube. But compo-
sition does change in a chemical change. So, most
chemical changes are not easily reversed. Look at
Figure 6. The chemical changes that happen when
a firework explodes would be almost impossible to Figure 6 This display of fireworks over the
reverse, even if you collected all of the materials Georgia Dome in Atlanta represents many
made in the chemical changes. chemical changes happening at the same time.

Using Key Terms Math Skills

Review 1. In your own words, write a defi-
nition for each of the follow-
ing terms: chemical property and
chemical change. S8CS10.c
Summary Understanding Key Ideas
2. Rusting is an example of a S8P1.e
Chemical properties
describe a substance a. physical property.
7. The temperature of an acid solu-
tion is 25C. A strip of magnesium
is added, and the temperature
rises 2C each minute for the first
3 min. After another 5 min,
the temperature has risen two
more degrees. What is the final
temperature? M8P4.c

based on its ability to b. physical change. Critical Thinking

change into a new sub- c. chemical property. 8. Making Comparisons Describe
stance that has different d. chemical change. the difference between physical
properties.
3. Which of the following is a and chemical changes in terms
Chemical properties can
be observed only when
characteristic property? of what happens to the matter
involved in each kind of change.
a chemical change might a. density
S8P1.e
happen. b. chemical reactivity
9. Applying Concepts Identify
Examples of chemical
properties are flamma-
c. solubility in water
d. All of the above
two physical properties and two
chemical properties of a bag of
bility and reactivity. 4. Write two examples of chemi- microwave popcorn before
New substances form
as a result of a chemical
cal properties and explain what popping and after. S8P1.d
they are. S8P1.d
change.
5. The Statue of Liberty was origi-
Unlike a chemical
change, a physical
nally a copper color. After being
Developed and maintained by the
exposed to the air, she turned National Science Teachers Association
change does not a greenish color. What kind of
alter the identity of For a variety of links related to this
change happened? Explain your
a substance. chapter, go to www.scilinks.org
answer. S8P1.e
6. Explain how to tell the differ- Topic: Chemical Changes
ence between a physical and a SciLinks code: HSM0266
chemical property. S8P1.d

55