What is a change in a substance that does not involve a change in the identity of the substance?

• A. Chemical Change
• B. Physical Property
• C. Chemical Property
• D. Physical Change

Answer: (D)

A change that does not alter the substance’s identity is a physical change. In physical changes, the particles stay the same substance; only their arrangement, form, or energy changes. For example, ice melting into liquid water keeps the same chemical formula (H2O)—just a different state. Cutting a piece of metal or dissolving sugar in water also changes appearance or state without creating a new substance. In contrast, chemical changes transform substances into new ones with different formulas and properties, like iron rusting or wood burning. So the scenario described involves changing how the material exists (state or form) rather than its identity, making it a physical change.