Research Paper: Differences Between Chemical and Physical Changes

This investigation is about comparing differences between chemical and physical changes. With observations we will be exploring the differences between both changes and analyse the way on how both a chemical and physical change works in different ways then each other. A physical change is a reversible change that usually is performed by physical contact and never has chemicals contribute to the changes. It's the complete opposite to a chemical change which is an irreversible change that is conducted using one or more chemicals mixing to create a new substance.

The acid and magnesium experiment that we had performed recently was a chemically conducted mixture creating 'H2.' With evidence of the mixture being chemical, with the reactions of both chemicals mixing, now that the experiment has been finished, both substances cannot be converted to their original state. Also another way to prove that it was a chemical change was that the temperature had begun to heat up once both of the substances had been mixed together. Because of the humidity change that happened within the experiment, it helps to the fact that the experiment —was in fact— chemical. This one experiment is just an example of chemical change. Not all chemical changes are as difficult or as highly thought as this one, e.g. a burning match is also a chemical change, it just functions differently with the fire burning the wooden match and the wood cannot be repaired as it is now ash and charred. The fire also will heat up the burnt part of the flame, leaving a raised temperature area on the match for a series of minutes.

A physical change is something that can be reversed. An example of a physical change was melting ice or —proven by the experiments we had performed— melting chocolate. Both experiments can be reversed and both substances can be reverted back to their original state when a humidity change happens and either the temperature raises or lowers. Not all experiments can be reverted from heat changes, some has to be prepared manually—such as cutting wood or dropping a cup and having it shatter on the ground. Because of the reaction happening, both substances can be reverted as they're both physical changes and they’re not mixed with chemicals.