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4.4 Physical and Chemical Changes

Part of Chemical Reactions in AP® Chemistry. Read the opening section, then create a free account for the full interactive lesson, practice, and progress tracking.

Physical Changes

A physical change is one that changes an object but does not change its chemical structure. In chemistry terms, physical changes can involve changes in IMFs but the chemical bonds are still the same. Changes in the state of matter of a substance or formation/separation are common physical changes. For example, water in its liquid state and boiled to a gaseous state both have the same chemical formula, H2O, before and after boiling.

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