Question

which statement best describes a physical change? changes can occur to certain chemical properties of the substance, but the overall shape of the substance will remain the same. changes can occur to certain physical properties of the substance, but the overall shape of the substance will remain the same. changes can occur to physical properties of a substance, but the chemical composition of the substance remains the same. changes can occur to chemical properties of a substance, but the chemical composition of the substance remains the same.

Explanation:

A physical change affects physical properties (like shape, size, state) of a substance. But the chemical composition (the way atoms are bonded and the type of molecules) remains unchanged. For example, melting ice (solid - liquid change, physical property change) still has \(H_2O\) molecules. Chemical properties (like reactivity) and chemical composition change in chemical changes.

Answer:

Changes can occur to physical properties of a substance, but the chemical composition of the substance remains the same.