Question

Is burning of paper a physical or chemical reaction?

Answer 1

Physical and chemical reaction:

1. Chemical reactions are irreversible and permanent in nature, resulting in the production of a completely new substance.
2. When a substance experiences a chemical reaction, its chemical characteristics and configuration change. Combustion is a good example.
3. A physical reaction is a change in an element's physical qualities, such as condition, form, size, and appearance. It is a reversible and temporary change.
4. A physical reaction does not result in the formation of new material. The original substance's molecular composition remains unchanged, but its physical properties have been changed. Example: melting of wax
5. When we burn a piece of paper, it performs a combustion reaction, which causes the substance's state to change from solid to liquid to gaseous.
6. As a result, burning paper is considered a chemical change since the paper turns into ashes and gas emissions are released.
7. As a result, when the paper is burned, it transforms chemically into completely other molecules called ash.

Therefore, the burning of paper is a chemical change.