Snow melting has no chemical reaction or changes, therefore, it is only a physical change or phenomenon.
It still remains H20 molecules, before and after melting.
Why? Because the process is reversible without any need for chemical reactions; molten snow can turn back to snow at the right temperature. No big deal.
Is A Snowman Melting A Chemical Change?
Snowman melting is not a chemical change but is rather a physical change since it is only changing state.
Basically, each of its molecules is made of two hydrogens and one oxygen atom.
A chemical change is one change that occurs when a substance reacts with something else to form a different, new substance, whereas a physical change happens when no new substances are formed.
An example of chemical change is burning wood. Rusting is another example of chemical changes, too. A physical change example is scrunching up paper.
ALSO SEE: Is Dry Ice Melting A Chemical Change?
Is Snow Melting When Salt Is Added A Chemical or Physical Change?
Melting ice with salt is a good example of a physical change as there is no new chemical reaction involved in it.
Pure snow that is not yellow is basically water that has undergone a change of state.
Let me explain…
Snow crystals are formed when the moisture in the atmosphere and temperature reaches 0°C or 32°F. This is a state or physical change (water in the form of gas becomes solid – hail or a snowflake).
Now, when the snowflake suffers a change in temperature (i.e. it gets warmer) the solid will undergo another physical change melting and the H2O will be a liquid.
Physical changes are the result of changes in temperature and/or pressure and only affect the state or appearance of a compound or element.
The water remains H20 and has not been chemically altered. If a chemical change happens, then we no longer have the same H20.
For instance, if you run an electrical current through a container of water breaking the bonds between the hydrogen and oxygen molecules we would no longer have water (H2O) we would have two separate gases hydrogen and oxygen.
The electricity would have created a chemical reaction that results in a chemical change known as electrolysis. One distinction you can look for when you are evaluating if a change is chemical or physical is chemical changes usually involve reactions induced by something other than temperature and pressure.