Chemical Reactions

4.4  Physical and Chemical Changes

Essential Knowledge:

*These are taken directly from College Board

• Processes that involve the breaking and/or formation of chemical bonds are typically classified as chemical processes. Processes that involve only changes in intermolecular interactions, such as phase changes, are typically classified as physical processes. (TRA-1.D.1) 

• Sometimes physical processes involve the breaking of chemical bonds. For example, plausible arguments could be made for the dissolution of a salt in water, as either a physical or chemical process, involves breaking of ionic bonds, and the formation of ion-dipole interactions between ions and solvent. (TRA-1.D.2)