* Chemical Change: A chemical change involves the formation of new substances with different chemical properties.
* Physical Change: A physical change alters the appearance or form of a substance but does not change its chemical composition.
The Reaction:
When hydrogen (H₂) reacts with chlorine (Cl₂), they combine to form hydrogen chloride (HCl), a completely different substance with different properties.
H₂ + Cl₂ → 2 HCl
* Hydrogen (H₂) and Chlorine (Cl₂): These are gases at room temperature.
* Hydrogen Chloride (HCl): This is a colorless gas that dissolves in water to form hydrochloric acid.
Key Indicators of a Chemical Change:
* Formation of a new substance: Hydrogen chloride (HCl) is a completely different substance than hydrogen or chlorine.
* Release of energy: This reaction releases heat and light, indicating a chemical change.
* Irreversible process: While HCl can be broken down back into hydrogen and chlorine, this requires further chemical processes.
Therefore, the burning of hydrogen in chlorine gas is a chemical change due to the formation of a new substance with different properties.