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Question

Difficulty: EasyProperties of Matter

When a candle is lit, the heat from the flame causes the solid wax at the base of the wick to turn into liquid wax. Which of the following statements correctly describes this process?

  1. A
    It is a chemical change because heat breaks the wax molecules into completely new chemical substances.
  2. It is a physical change because the wax changes its state of matter without altering its chemical composition.Answer
  3. C
    It is a chemical change because the production of liquid from a solid indicates a chemical reaction occurred.
  4. D
    It is a physical change because the total mass of the wax decreases as it turns into a liquid.

Answer

The melting of solid wax is a physical change because the wax changes its state of matter without altering its chemical composition.
Melting is a phase change from solid to liquid, which is a classic physical change. During melting, the physical state and molecular arrangement change, but no new chemical substances are formed and the chemical formula of the wax remains unchanged.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the process described in the scenario.
Solid wax changes into liquid wax due to heat, which is a phase change known as melting.
Determining the specific process allows classification as a physical or chemical event.
2
Analyze whether the chemical composition changes during melting.
The molecules of the wax remain identical before and after melting; only the distance and arrangement between particles change.
Physical changes involve changes in appearance or state without forming new chemical substances, whereas chemical changes produce new substances.

Key Concept

Physical versus chemical changes in matter
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Properties of Matter

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