Question

which can occur in a physical change?
the mass can increase.
the particles can arrange in different ways.
the mass can decrease.
the atoms can bond to different atoms.

Explanation:

1. Analyze the concept of physical change: A physical change is a change in which the chemical composition of a substance remains the same, only the physical properties (like state, shape, arrangement of particles) change. Mass is conserved in physical changes, so options about mass increase or decrease are incorrect. Atoms bonding to different atoms involves a chemical reaction (chemical change), not physical change.
2. Evaluate each option:

• "The mass can increase": Mass is conserved in physical changes, so this is wrong.
• "The particles can arrange in different ways": In physical changes (e.g., phase changes like melting, freezing), particles rearrange (e.g., in a solid, liquid, gas), so this is correct.
• "The mass can decrease": Mass is conserved, so wrong.
• "The atoms can bond to different atoms": This is a chemical change (new bonds/formulas), so wrong.

Answer:

The particles can arrange in different ways.