Question

breaking glass vs battery generating electricity—watch the animation and look at the before and after images.
breaking glass | battery generating electricity
what do you notice about the particles? | what do you notice about the particles?
blank | blank
is this a physical or chemical change? | is this a physical or chemical change?
blank | blank
explain using evidence | explain using evidence
blank | blank

Explanation:

Breaking Glass:

What do you notice about the particles?

The particles (molecules of glass) remain the same in identity; they just get separated into smaller pieces (the glass breaks into shards, but the chemical composition of the glass particles doesn't change).

Is this a physical or chemical change?

Physical change.

Explain using evidence

When glass breaks, the particles (glass molecules) do not form new substances. The change is only in the size and shape of the glass pieces (physical appearance), and the chemical identity of the glass remains unchanged (e.g., it's still glass, just broken into smaller parts). There's no new substance formed, which is a key indicator of a physical change.

Battery Generating Electricity:

What do you notice about the particles?

In a battery (e.g., a chemical battery like a AA battery), chemical reactions occur at the electrodes. Particles (ions, atoms, or molecules) involved in the electrochemical reactions are transformed. For example, in a typical galvanic cell (battery), reactant particles are consumed, and product particles are formed as electrons are transferred (generating electricity). The particles change their chemical identity (e.g., metal atoms may ionize, and ions may combine to form new compounds).

Is this a physical or chemical change?

Chemical change.

Explain using evidence

A battery generates electricity through chemical reactions (redox reactions) inside it. New substances are formed during these reactions (e.g., in a lead - acid battery, lead and lead dioxide react with sulfuric acid to form lead sulfate and water). The formation of new substances (change in the chemical identity of particles) is evidence of a chemical change. Also, the reactions are not easily reversible by physical means (unlike a physical change like breaking glass, which can potentially be reversed by melting and re - shaping, though that's also a physical change, but the key here is the chemical reaction in the battery).

Answer:

Breaking Glass:

What do you notice about the particles?

The particles (molecules of glass) remain the same in identity; they just get separated into smaller pieces (the glass breaks into shards, but the chemical composition of the glass particles doesn't change).

Is this a physical or chemical change?

Physical change.

Explain using evidence

When glass breaks, the particles (glass molecules) do not form new substances. The change is only in the size and shape of the glass pieces (physical appearance), and the chemical identity of the glass remains unchanged (e.g., it's still glass, just broken into smaller parts). There's no new substance formed, which is a key indicator of a physical change.

Battery Generating Electricity:

What do you notice about the particles?

In a battery (e.g., a chemical battery like a AA battery), chemical reactions occur at the electrodes. Particles (ions, atoms, or molecules) involved in the electrochemical reactions are transformed. For example, in a typical galvanic cell (battery), reactant particles are consumed, and product particles are formed as electrons are transferred (generating electricity). The particles change their chemical identity (e.g., metal atoms may ionize, and ions may combine to form new compounds).

Is this a physical or chemical change?

Chemical change.

Explain using evidence

A battery generates electricity through chemical reactions (redox reactions) inside it. New substances are formed during these reactions (e.g., in a lead - acid battery, lead and lead dioxide react with sulfuric acid to form lead sulfate and water). The formation of new substances (change in the chemical identity of particles) is evidence of a chemical change. Also, the reactions are not easily reversible by physical means (unlike a physical change like breaking glass, which can potentially be reversed by melting and re - shaping, though that's also a physical change, but the key here is the chemical reaction in the battery).