Ch.1 - Introduction: Matter, Energy, and Measurement

Problem 23b

Chapter 1, Problem 23b

Label each of the following as either a physical process or a chemical process: b. boiling a cup of water

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Identify the process described: boiling a cup of water.

Understand the definition of a physical process: a process that changes the physical properties of a substance without altering its chemical structure.

Analyze the process of boiling water: When water boils, it changes from liquid to gas (steam) at 100°C (212°F) under standard atmospheric pressure.

Determine if the chemical structure of water changes during boiling: The molecular structure of water (H2O) remains the same in both liquid and gas states.

Conclude whether the process is physical or chemical: Since boiling water only changes its state from liquid to gas without altering the molecular structure of H2O, it is a physical process.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Physical Process

A physical process involves changes in the state or appearance of a substance without altering its chemical composition. Examples include phase changes like melting, freezing, and boiling, where the substance retains its identity despite changes in form.

Chemical Process

A chemical process involves a transformation that changes the chemical composition of a substance, resulting in the formation of new substances. This can include reactions such as combustion, oxidation, and synthesis, where the original materials are fundamentally altered.

Boiling Point

The boiling point is the temperature at which a liquid's vapor pressure equals the external pressure surrounding it, causing the liquid to change into vapor. For water, this occurs at 100°C (212°F) at standard atmospheric pressure, marking the transition from liquid to gas without changing its chemical structure.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

In the process of attempting to characterize a substance, a chemist makes the following observations: The substance is a silvery white, lustrous metal. It melts at 649 °C and boils at 1105 °C. Its density at 20 °C is 1.738 g/cm³. The substance burns in air, producing an intense white light. It reacts with chlorine to give a brittle white solid. The substance can be pounded into thin sheets or drawn into wires. It is a good conductor of electricity. Which of these characteristics are physical properties, and which are chemical properties?

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Textbook Question

(a) Read the following description of the element zinc and indicate which are physical properties and which are chemical properties. Zinc melts at 420 °C. When zinc granules are added to dilute sulfuric acid, hydrogen is given off and the metal dissolves. Zinc has a hardness on the Mohs scale of 2.5 and a density of 7.13 g/cm³ at 25 °C. It reacts slowly with oxygen gas at elevated temperatures to form zinc oxide, ZnO.

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Textbook Question

(b) Which properties of zinc can you describe from the photo? Are these physical or chemical properties?

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Textbook Question

Label each of the following as either a physical process or a chemical process: c. pulverizing an aspirin

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Textbook Question

A match is lit and held under a cold piece of metal. The following observations are made: (a) The match burns. (b) The metal gets warmer. (c) Water condenses on the metal. (d) Soot (carbon) is deposited on the metal. Which of these occurrences are due to physical changes, and which are due to chemical changes?

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Textbook Question

For each of the following processes, would filtration, distillation, or chromatography be the most effective separation technique:

a. removing the pulp from freshly squeezed orange juice,

b. separating a food dye into its individual components,

c. desalinating seawater?

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