* Chemical Change: Involves the formation of new substances with different chemical properties.
* Physical Change: Only changes the physical appearance or state of matter, not its chemical composition.
Here's how hydrogen peroxide decomposes:
* Reactants: Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)
* Products: Water (H₂O) and Oxygen (O₂)
The chemical formula changes from H₂O₂ to H₂O and O₂. This indicates that new substances with different chemical properties have been formed.
Key indicators of a chemical change in this case:
* Gas production: Oxygen gas is released as bubbles.
* Change in temperature: The decomposition is exothermic, meaning heat is released.
Therefore, the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide is a chemical change because it results in the formation of new substances with different chemical properties.
