Question

which property of physical changes explains why matter is conserved in a physical change?
○ the arrangements of particles do not change, and the bonds between atoms do not break.
○ mass, not energy, changes in a physical change.
○ energy and mass change in a physical change.
○ the bonds between atoms do not break; it is only the arrangement that changes.

Explanation:

Physical changes involve no breaking of atomic bonds—only rearrangement of particles. Since atoms remain intact and their quantity doesn’t change, matter (mass) is conserved. The first option incorrectly claims particle arrangement doesn’t change; the second and third options falsely state mass changes. The fourth option correctly describes physical changes: no bond breaking, only arrangement change, which preserves matter.

Answer:

The bonds between atoms do not break; it is only the arrangement that changes.