The melting of ice at 0°C is an example of which type of change?

Prepare for the Chemistry 1LC Practical Test. Engage with multiple choice questions, interactive flashcards, and detailed explanations to enhance your understanding and boost your confidence for the exam.

Multiple Choice

The melting of ice at 0°C is an example of which type of change?

Explanation:
Melting ice at 0°C is a physical change because the chemical formula remains H2O and no new substance is produced. What changes is the arrangement and energy: ice has a rigid, ordered structure, and as heat is absorbed the molecules gain enough kinetic energy to break the solid lattice and flow as a liquid. This is a phase change—a transition from solid to liquid. It’s not chemical because there’s no change in composition or new bonds formed, and it’s not nuclear because the nucleus isn’t altered. If you have to name it specifically, it’s a phase change, which is a type of physical change.

Melting ice at 0°C is a physical change because the chemical formula remains H2O and no new substance is produced. What changes is the arrangement and energy: ice has a rigid, ordered structure, and as heat is absorbed the molecules gain enough kinetic energy to break the solid lattice and flow as a liquid. This is a phase change—a transition from solid to liquid. It’s not chemical because there’s no change in composition or new bonds formed, and it’s not nuclear because the nucleus isn’t altered. If you have to name it specifically, it’s a phase change, which is a type of physical change.

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