Which statement best describes a physical change?

Which statement best describes a physical change?

• A. It forms new substances with different properties.
• B. It changes appearance or state without creating a new substance.
• C. It always involves a chemical reaction.
• D. It changes the identity of the substance completely.

Answer: (B)

A physical change is a change in which the material looks different or changes state, but its chemical identity stays the same and no new substance is formed. This is why the best description is that it changes appearance or state without creating a new substance. For example, ice melting to water or paper being torn changes how it looks or its phase, but you still have the same substance present in a different form. In contrast, forming a new substance with different properties, or always involving a chemical reaction, would point to a chemical change. A change that alters what the substance is entirely also fits chemical change, not a physical one.

A physical change is a change in which the material looks different or changes state, but its chemical identity stays the same and no new substance is formed. This is why the best description is that it changes appearance or state without creating a new substance. For example, ice melting to water or paper being torn changes how it looks or its phase, but you still have the same substance present in a different form. In contrast, forming a new substance with different properties, or always involving a chemical reaction, would point to a chemical change. A change that alters what the substance is entirely also fits chemical change, not a physical one.