Question

Classify the following change as chemical and physical change:

Cutting of trees

Answer 1

Chemical change: A change in which one or more new substances are formed and there is a change in the chemical composition of the substance undergoing the change.

Physical change: A change in which no new substance is formed and there is no change in the chemical composition of the substance undergoing the change.

Cutting of trees is a physical change.

• This is because no new chemical substance is formed in the process of cutting of trees.
• Although once cut, trees cannot be brought back to the original state i.e.; cutting of trees is permanent and irreversible but as there is no change in the chemical composition of the trees while cutting them, it is a physical change.