I am ill - and DS needs a science question answered .urgently ... PLEASE !

[Crystaltips]

In a nutshell - what is the difference between a chemical and a physical reaction in chemistry ??

Thanks

[Blandmum]

A chemical reaction makes new compounds and cannot be easily reversed

So Metal + hydrochloric acid -> Metal Chloride + Hydrogen

You can't make the reaction easily go backwards

Physical just involves a change of state

So water to ice by cooling, warm it up and it easily goes back to water.

(you can get reversib;e chemical reaction but not until GCSE!)

[snailspace]

physical reaction is where the elements or compounds stay the same but might change state or disolve. A chemical reaction is where the elements &/or compounds recombine to make different substances.

I think. Martian Bishop would know for sure...

[snailspace]

ahh - she beat me to it!

[Crystaltips]

ooooh you are fabulous ....

I can now go back to bed and be grumpy again

THANKS