What is a Chemical Change?
A chemical change is a change of materials into another, new materials with different properties and one or more than one new substances are formed.
It results when a substance combines with another to form a new substance (synthesis or either decomposes to form more substances). The oxidation reaction is a chemical change example that causes a chemical reaction.
They are generally irreversible except by further chemical reactions. Chemical change examples include chemical reaction which develops the dye in the colour and creates a chemical change in the hair. There are three types of chemical changes namely organic, inorganic and biochemical change.
Chemical Change Examples
Table of Content
- Examples of Chemical Change in Everyday Life
- Recommended Videos
- Chemical Changes Involving Organic Compounds
- Chemical Changes Involving Inorganic Compounds
- Biochemical Changes
- Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Examples of Chemical Change in Everyday Life
Chemical changes happen around us all the time and not just in a chemistry lab. Some chemical change examples in our everyday life are mentioned below.
- Burning of paper and log of wood
- Digestion of food
- Boiling an egg
- Chemical battery usage
- Electroplating a metal
- Baking a cake
- Milk going sour
- Various metabolic reactions that take place in the cells
- Rotting of fruits
- Decomposition of waste
- The explosion of fireworks
- The reaction between salts and acids.
- Rusting of iron
- Lighting a matchstick
Recommended Videos
Chemical Changes Involving Organic Compounds
Organic Compounds are complex compounds of carbon in which one or more atoms are covalently linked to atoms of other elements. Some examples of chemical change involving organic compounds are stated below.
1. Burning of a Natural Gas
This is a clear example of a combustion reaction. Natural gas comprehends methane gas. When methane reacts with oxygen in the atmosphere it produces water and carbon dioxide. Hence, it is an example of chemical change.
2. Ripening of Fruits
It involves a series of changes. Fruits consist of ethylene. There is an increase in ethylene production when fruit gets damaged or when it is plucked. This results in the production of new enzymes which in turn reacts with the chemical present on the fruit. So, the fruit may witness several changes. Some changes are mentioned below.
- The fruit becomes more juicy and soft.
- Due to the breakdown of chlorophyll, the outer skin of fruit changes its colour.
- Aroma emits from ripe fruit.
Chemical Changes Involving Inorganic Compounds
The reactions of compounds and elements that do not involve carbon atoms are the chemical changes involving inorganic compounds. Some examples of chemical change that involves inorganic compounds are mentioned below.
1. Formation of Steel
It is an irreversible process. Steel is formed by the addition of several other elements in definite quantities to iron, the basic element being carbon. This results in the formation of new substances, thus considering it has a chemical change. The properties of the newly formed substances are different from that of iron.
2. The lighting of a Firework
Firework consists of metal nitrates thus constituting burning compounds. When a firework is lit, combustion takes place leading to the formation of a new substance with the emission of light and heat. Thus, it can be considered a chemical change.
Biochemical Changes
It deals with the chemistry of the activity and the growth of living organisms. An example of biochemical changes is mentioned below.
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is a process that is mainly used by plants to convert light energy into chemical energy. It is a chemical process that occurs in plants. In this process, plants convert water and carbon dioxide into sugars and oxygen.
Solved Example
1. Milk turns sour due to
(a) Conversion of lactose in lactic acid
(b) Increased chemical changes
(c) Conversion of lactic acid into lactose
(d) Both A and B
Ans: (d)
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Which is an example of a chemical change?
A chemical transition is the result of a chemical reaction, whereas a physical change is when the structure of matter changes, but not the chemical identity. Burning, cooking, rusting and rotting are examples of chemical changes.
What is called chemical change?
A chemical transition, also known as a chemical reaction, is a process that transforms one or more substances into one or more new and different substances. A chemical transformation, in other words, is a chemical reaction involving the rearrangement of atoms.
What is the evidence of a chemical change?
Chemical transition conditions: colour change, precipitate formation, gas formation, smell change, change in temperature.
Is wood burning a chemical change?
Wood burning is a chemical change when new materials are created that cannot be removed (e.g. carbon dioxide). For example, if a fireplace burns wood, there is no longer wood but ash. Certain examples include candle burning, iron rusting, cake baking, etc.
Is milk souring a chemical change?
Chemical change requires a molecular level change to stop it from being reversed because it creates a new substance. Souring milk is a reverse process and new molecules are produced. Another example of chemical change — creating new air, bubbles, and colour changes like rust formation.
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Is photosynthesis also a chemical change❓
Photosynthesis is the process through which plants convert light energy into chemical energy. Here is the chemical reaction involved: water and carbon dioxide combine to form glucose and oxygen. Since new chemical species are formed, photosynthesis is clearly a chemical change.
Is respiration and breathing also a chemical change ?
Respiration is a chemical change. Oxygen is taken during respiration, the output should also be oxygen to make a physical change.