Question

Classify the following change as physical or chemical:

Magnetizing a piece of iron.

Answer 1

Physical change:

• A physical change is a change in which no new substance is formed.
• A physical change is temporary and reversible.
• In physical change the chemical composition of the original substance is not altered.
• For example, drying of wet clothes, breaking of a glass tumbler, drying paints, etc.
• Magnetize a piece of iron by rubbing a bar magnet over it several times. Then heat the piece of iron or drop it on the floor and it will lose its magnetism.
• No new substance is formed during this process.

Therefore, magnetizing a piece of iron is a physical change.