Question

water is made of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom bonded together. julia is describing how water undergoes a physical change when it boils. she says that the particles shift to be farther apart and that the oxygen and hydrogen separate. she also says that the total mass of the steam is the same as the initial water, and that heat energy was required to cause the change. she finishes her description by saying that the steam can be turned back into water if it is cooled. which is the mistake in her description? the total mass remains the same in physical changes. the arrangement of particles may change in physical changes. atoms remain bonded to each other in physical changes. energy changes may occur in physical changes.

Explanation:

In a physical change like boiling water, the chemical composition of water (\(H_2O\)) remains the same. The molecules gain energy and move apart (change in particle arrangement), mass is conserved (total mass of steam same as initial water), and energy (heat) is involved. But atoms do not separate in a physical change. Chemical changes involve breaking of bonds between atoms.

Answer:

Atoms remain bonded to each other in physical changes.