Question

elements and compounds are pure substances that cannot be broken down physically into a simpler substance. a physical change doesnt break the bonds between atoms of a substance or form new ones. compounds can be broken down by a chemical change. a chemical change breaks chemical bonds and/or forms new ones between atoms of a substance. what simple substance would a compound break into? the basic elements that make it up! for example, if you passed a very strong electric current through water youd break the chemical bonds in water and be left with oxygen and hydrogen. which of the following is an example of a chemical change? choose one option a separating water into different glasses b breaking frozen ice cubes with a hammer c running an electric current through water d boiling water to evaporate it on a stove

Explanation:

• Option A: Separating water into different glasses is a physical change as no new substances are formed.
• Option B: Breaking frozen ice cubes with a hammer is a physical change as it only changes the state (solid ice) but no new substances are created.
• Option C: Running an electric current through water is a chemical change. Water (\(H_2O\)) is decomposed into hydrogen (\(H_2\)) and oxygen (\(O_2\)) gases. New substances are formed, and chemical bonds in \(H_2O\) are broken.
• Option D: Boiling water to evaporate it on a stove is a physical change. Water changes from liquid to gas (water vapor), but the chemical composition (\(H_2O\)) remains the same.

Answer:

C. running an electric current through water