Physical or Chemical Changes? Classify These Reactions Without Prefixes!

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on classifying various reactions as either physical or chemical changes. The reactions analyzed include tarnishing of copper, heating sugar to form caramel, and the reaction of concentrated nitric acid with copper, all of which are classified as chemical changes. The evaporation of copper sulfate solution and the addition of sodium carbonate to water are debated, with some uncertainty regarding their classification. The addition of sodium metal to water is confirmed as a chemical change due to the vigorous reaction that occurs.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of chemical and physical changes
  • Basic knowledge of chemical reactions and their classifications
  • Familiarity with common chemical substances such as sodium and copper
  • Knowledge of reaction products and observable changes in reactions
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties and reactions of sodium with water
  • Study the process of caramelization in sugar
  • Explore the chemical properties of copper and its reactions with acids
  • Investigate the evaporation process and crystallization of copper sulfate
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Chemistry students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the distinctions between physical and chemical changes in reactions.

Zappa
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This question asks me to classify each of the following as a physical or a chemical change.

a. Tarnishing of copper
b. Heating sugar to form caramel
c. Pouring concentrated nitric acid on a copper coin to form brown fumes
d. Evaporating a solution of copper sulfate to dryness (to form blue crystals)
e. Heating lead nitrate until brown fumes form
f. Adding sodium carbonate to water
g. Adding sodium metal to water

To me they all seem like chemical changes. :confused: The only ones that might not be are d and g, but I'm not really sure.
 
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Hey Zappa;

Go to your favorite search engine, type in "Sodium", choose a site, and see what it says about when Sodium is added to water. Good luck.

Best of health.

Steve
 

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