Question

physical changes can be brought about by which of the following? select all that apply
a cutting
b bending
c dissolving
d rusting

Explanation:

• Option a (cutting): Cutting changes the shape or size of a substance without altering its chemical composition. For example, cutting a piece of paper only changes its physical form, so it's a physical change.
• Option b (bending): Bending a material (like a metal wire) modifies its physical shape but doesn't create a new substance with different chemical properties, so it's a physical change.
• Option c (dissolving): Dissolving (e.g., dissolving salt in water) is often a physical change as the solute can be recovered (e.g., by evaporation) and the chemical identity of the solute and solvent remains largely unchanged (assuming no chemical reaction occurs during dissolution).
• Option d (rusting): Rusting is a chemical change because iron reacts with oxygen and water to form rust (iron oxide), which is a new substance with different chemical properties than iron.

Answer:

a. cutting, b. bending, c. dissolving