Question

Why is the ripening of fruits considered a chemical change?

Answer 1

Hint: A chemical change is defined as a change in which one chemical substance is transformed into one or more different substances. A physical change is defined as a change in which the appearance of the substance changes but not its chemical properties.

Complete answer:
When there is change in chemical properties, such change is called chemical change. Chemical change occurs when there is breaking of bonds between the molecules and there is change in the composition of substance. Examples of chemical changes are acid-base reaction, burning of wood.
Physical change occurs when a substance undergoes a change that does not change its chemical composition. Examples of physical changes are boiling of water, melting of an ice cube.
Ripening of fruits is a chemical change as a number of changes take place during ripening.The color of the fruit changes and so does its texture.
During the process of ripening, the pigment present in the skin of the fruit changes and this cannot be reversed back.
It is a chemical change as once the fruit ripens; it cannot turn raw again. The properties of raw fruit are different from the properties of ripe fruit.
Examples of fruits that undergo ripening are banana, apples. Examples of fruits that do not undergo ripening are strawberry, coconut.
Hence, we can conclude that the ripening of fruits is a chemical change.

Note:
When a chemical change occurs, a new product is formed which has different chemical composition than the original substance.When a physical change occurs ,the new product formed has different physical appearance but same chemical properties.