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physical change
Definition
A physical change is a change in the state or appearance of a substance, but not in its chemical composition. For example, if you melt a piece of ice, you have changed its state from solid to liquid, but the ice is still made of the same molecules.
Here are some other examples of physical changes:
- Cutting paper
- Bending a spoon
- Breaking a pencil
- Boiling water
- Freezing water
How can the word be used?
The ice cube melted, a physical change.
Different forms of the word
Noun:
- physical change (a change in the physical properties of a substance, such as its shape, size, or state of matter, without a change in its chemical composition).
Adjective:
- physical (of or relating to the physical properties of a substance).
Etymology
The word "physical" comes from the Greek word "physikos", which means "of nature".
The word "physical change" was first used in English in the 17th century. It was used to refer to a change in the physical properties of a substance, such as its shape, size, or state of matter.
Question
What is a physical change? Provide an example.