An Introduction
The description and justification of chemical changes is the main goal of the science of Chemistry. Many studies started with an experimental finding suggesting that understanding chemical change could not be as easy and obvious as it might seem. Even while many of the students in the Chemistry classes could define a chemical process and balance chemical equations, they exhibited a general lack of understanding of chemical changes, particularly those of chemical changes in daily life. Additional studies on education suggest that this trend of misunderstanding about chemical change among learners who have mastered equation-balancing abilities is likely a prevalent one. To avoid these types of issues, the better solution is to study the concept of chemical change by utilising examples of chemical changes.
What is the Concept of Chemical Change?
A chemical change is the conversion of one compound into another, where the old bonds are dissolved, and new bonds are created. New products are created via chemical changes. These mechanisms are referred to as chemical reactions, and they are typically irreversible excluding additional chemical reactions. Some reactions known as exothermic reactions produce heat, while others known as endothermic reactions might need heat to proceed. There are 3 different kinds of chemical changes: organic, inorganic, and biochemical.
Common chemical changes can be detected by the following signs:
Phase change
Composition change
Colour change
Odour change
Formation of precipitation
The breakdown of organic material
Formation of bubbles
Examples of Chemical Change and Physical Change
One can easily understand the changes in nature and process by certain examples of physical and chemical changes. Physical changes only cause a variation in appearance without altering the composition. Certain examples of physical changes are as follows:
Destroying a can
Melting of ice cubes
Heating water
Combining water and sand
Shattering glass
Dissolving water and sugar
Tearing up paper
Making woodcuts
Contrarily, chemical changes are very dissimilar. Whenever the material's constitution is altered, a chemical change takes place. A chemical reaction takes place when bonds are destroyed and fresh bonds are created. Examples of chemical changes include the development of the dye in the colour and the creation of a biochemical alteration in the hair through chemical reactions, and also chemical change triggers the oxidation reaction. Chemical changes occur everywhere, not only in research laboratories. The following section provides a few examples of chemical changes in our daily life.
Examples of Chemical Change in Our Daily Life
A natural atmosphere undergoes numerous changes. All of these modifications encompass a transformation in the state. Some examples of chemical change in our daily life include the following:
Digestion of food.
Spoiled eggs (Fermentation).
Cooking any dish.
Milk turning sour.
Several metabolic processes that occur within cells.
Violent reaction (fireworks).
Rusting of metals.
Gas formation.
Burning of woods or papers.
Acid-base reaction.
Formation of the black film when a glass held in a candle flame.
Examples of Colour Change in Chemical Reaction
The naked eye may not necessarily be able to see a chemical change, but occasionally, substance colours do change as a result of a chemical change. A distinct structure with a completely distinct composition and colour results from the reaction of two or more components. A chemical reaction can be seen by the colour shift.
Some of the examples of colour change in chemical reactions occur when:
One might notice that the metal has altered colour and become orange if one were to watch metal rusting throughout the period.
Chemical reactions involving pigments and hair molecules, and also peroxide and ammonium.
Blackening of sliced fruit and vegetable skins.
Bleaching clothes.
Conclusion
Therefore, during a chemical reaction, the substance's mass changes. The mass is either added or subtracted. The energy changes happen when a reaction takes place. Numerous chemical changes can be seen happening all around us. These chemical changes in daily life are necessary for human life and the survival of all other living things.
FAQs on Examples of Chemical Change: A Detailed Summary
1. What is the difference between a physical and chemical change?
Physical changes do not produce new chemically-different products whereas chemical changes result in newly formed substances. If you give an example of chemical change and a physical change, you will easily understand.
2. Why should I study 10 examples of a chemical change?
In this concept, you will find multiple examples of chemical changes. If you study these examples, you will easily understand the properties of a chemical change. These examples also come as questions in the exams.
3. Do chemical changes occur in organic compounds?
Yes. You will find a plethora of examples related to chemical changes involving organic compounds on this concept page. You will also find many examples in the chapters in the textbook. Find out how organic compounds react and form new substances.
4. How can a chemical reaction alter colour?
Chemicals with a pH range of 2 to 10 are called global indicators of colour change when they come into contact with acids and bases during a chemical reaction (pH-7 neutral, below 7 indicates acidic, and above 7 indicates basic colour change).
5. Is milk souring a physical or chemical change? Why?
A chemical change occurs when milk becomes spoiled since the initial components lose their individuality and structure and are replaced by new chemical components.
6. What are the main chemical changes?
Chemical reactions can be divided into five categories. They are combination, combustion, degradation, single-replacement, and double-replacement.
7. While magnesium ribbon ignites in the air, what colour of the flame is seen?
Magnesium produces a dazzling white flame when burned in the air.