Question

What kind of change is shown by tearing of paper?

Answer 1

Hint: The change that can happen during any process can be distinguished in two main categories, i.e. physical change and chemical change. It is very evident that in order to answer the following question, we need to have an understanding of what is the definition and the criteria associated with them.

Complete answer:
There are majorly two types of changes in nature. Those two changes are:
1) physical change
2) chemical change
Physical change is defined as the change that occurs in the physicality of the thing which is under observation of the observer. It means that there is no such chemical change occurring in the object under observation. In this, the matter may change its form but it doesn’t undergo any change in chemical composition. Example is melting of wax.
Chemical change on the other hand refers to those types of changes which bring a change in the chemical composition of the thing which is under observation. Hence, in this, there is a chemical reaction taking place. Example: burning of magnesium ribbon.
Now, as per question, if we tear a paper, we can notice that the chemical composition of the paper is the same and the only thing that changes is the size of paper bits that are formed as we keep on tearing the paper.
Hence, tearing of paper is a physical change.

Note:
Whenever we talk of changes, the criteria to keep in mind is that once the task is performed on the thing under observation, whether it's chemically the same as before or there is a new entity that is formed after the action is done. If there is a new entity formed, then we can say that there is a chemical change. However, only if there is a change in its physical state, then it is physical change.