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Physical & Chemical Changes Worksheet
Classify each of the following events as either a physical or a chemical change by writing the word
'physical' or 'chemical'. Then write a brief sentence to explain your answer.
a. burning paper:
b. melting snow:
c. sawing wood:
d. digesting candy:
e. dissolving sugar:
f. lighting a candle:
g. baking cake:
h. bursting balloon:
i. crushing rocks:
Physical & Chemical Changes Worksheet (answer sheet)
Classify each of the following events as either a physical or a chemical change by writing the word
'physical' or 'chemical'. Then write a brief sentence to explain your answer.
a. burning paper:
Chemical Change
Once the paper is burned, the chemical makeup of the paper can never be returned to its
former state.
b. melting snow:
Physical Change
The change of phase of a substance is only a physical change. Whether the water is in solid
form, liquid form or gaseous form, it is still H2O.
c. sawing wood:
Physical Change
Cutting the wood into smaller pieces does not change the chemical makeup of the wood.
d. digesting candy:
Chemical Change
As the candy is digested, chemicals, such as enzymes, break down the candy into simpler
substances such as glucose etc. The candy can not be returned to its former chemical
makeup.
e. dissolving sugar:
Physical Change
By evaporating the water out of the sugar solution, the sugar can be found again in its
original state.
f. lighting a candle:
Chemical Change
Once the candle is lit, the fire will burn the wick and evaporate the wax, thus forever
changing the chemical makeup of the candle.
g. baking cake:
Chemical Change
Once the cake batter is mixed and baked, it has undergone a chemical change and the
original materials cannot be restored to their former states.
h. bursting balloon:
Physical Change
Bursting the balloon simply releases the gas that kept is inflated, but the chemicals of the
rubber and the chemicals of the gases within the balloon are still the same chemical
components as before.
i. crushing rocks:
Physical Change
Crushing rocks only changes the size of the rocks, the chemical components are still the
same.