Ice Melting is a physical change because it only involves a change in the physical state of water, from ice to water in the liquid state.
That’s not all, this process does not create new chemical substances, and the transformation is reversible. In other words, by simply freezing back the water, you get ice.
This is why we say the melting of ice is a physical change.
The arrangement of molecules is altered during the physical change, resulting in a change in state. There are no new elements or products created during or after the process. Plus, the molecular makeup remains unchanged.
Yes, the molecular composition of ice and water, for instance, is unaffected.
When a physical change happens, no energy change happens. The amount of energy needed to cause a physical change is the same as the level of energy required to reverse it. The energy amount/level does not change.
The changes last for a short time and are reversible. If the cause of the change is gotten rid of, the reaction becomes simple to reverse.
The mass of the substance does not change all through the physical change. Only energy is introduced or removed in a physical change; mass is not involved.
A chemical change is typically characterized by a molecular composition transforming and creating a new product in the process. This new product is created as a result of chemical modifications. Chemical transformations are irreversible and permanent.
You cannot reverse a chemical change by altering or changing the experimental changes. The mass of the substance is altered during a chemical change. Either the mass is added or taken away.
Remember, during a chemical change, energy changes happen.
Note:
When a chemical change happens, and energy is released, the reaction is known as an exothermic reaction; when energy is absorbed, it is called an endothermic reaction.
There is an energy difference in the breaking of old bonds in reactants and the formation of new bonds in products.
ALSO SEE: Is Boiling Sugar A Chemical Change or Physical Change?
Why Is Ice Melting Not A Chemical Change?
Melting of ice is not a chemical change, but a physical one because there had been no occurrence of a chemical transformation, but only to its physical condition.
Is Melting A Ice Cube A Chemical Change?
Melting an ice cube only changes its physical state. It is still made up of hydrogen and Oxygen atoms. Hence, why ice melting is a physical change, not a chemical one.