Question

Classify the following, as a physical or a chemical change. Give reasons: Burning of kerosene in a lantern.

Answer 1

Physical Change:

• The change in which a substance undergoes a change in its physical properties in which no new substance get formed is known as a physical change.
• A physical change is generally known to be reversible in nature.

Chemical Change:

• A change in which one or more new substances get formed is known as a chemical change.
• A chemical change is generally irreversible in nature.

Burning of kerosene in a lantern:

• The burning of kerosene in a lantern involves a chemical change.
• Here the kerosene burns by using atmospheric Oxygen and produces Carbon dioxide as the new product.
• Also, we cannot reverse back the process to get back Kerosene again.

Hence, the Burning of kerosene in a lantern is a chemical change.