Lab Safety: Physical vs. Chemical Changes - Free Printable

To solve this worksheet, we need to decide if each example is a Physical Change (P) or a Chemical Change (C).

Here is the simple rule to help you remember:
* Physical Change (P): The substance stays the same, but it might change shape, size, or state (like melting ice). You can often reverse it.
* Chemical Change (C): A new substance is created. Signs include burning, rusting, rotting, baking, or exploding. You usually cannot turn it back.

Let's go through them one by one:

1. Water evaporating: Water turns into gas, but it is still water. -> P
2. Lighting a match: Fire burns the wood and creates smoke/ash. New stuff is made. -> C
3. Baking a cake: The batter cooks and becomes a cake. You can't un-bake it. -> C
4. Butter melting: Solid butter becomes liquid butter. It is still butter. -> P
5. Making toast: Bread burns slightly and changes color/taste. -> C
6. Molding clay: You just change the shape of the clay. -> P
7. Cutting paper: It is still paper, just in smaller pieces. -> P
8. A nail rusting: Iron reacts with air/water to make rust (a new substance). -> C
9. Ripping your jeans: The fabric is torn, but it is still denim. -> P
10. Water freezing: Liquid water turns to solid ice. It is still H2O. -> P
11. Wood burning: Wood turns into ash and smoke. -> C
12. Milk going sour: Bacteria change the milk into something new (sour milk). -> C
13. Sand and dirt mixing: They are just sitting next to each other. No reaction. -> P
14. Smashing a bug: The bug is squashed, but no new chemical is made. -> P
15. Breaking an egg: The shell cracks, but it is still an egg. -> P
16. Making rock candy: Sugar dissolves and recrystallizes. It is still sugar. -> P
17. Digesting food: Your body breaks down food into energy and waste using chemicals. -> C
18. Chopping an apple: Cutting it into slices. Still an apple. -> P
19. Carving a pumpkin: Removing parts to make a face. Still pumpkin material. -> P
20. Fireworks exploding: Gunpowder burns rapidly to create light and sound. -> C
21. Baking soda volcano: Mixing vinegar and baking soda creates foam (gas). -> C
22. Banana turning brown: The fruit is reacting with oxygen in the air (rotting/oxidizing). -> C

Final Answer:
1. P
2. C
3. C
4. P
5. C
6. P
7. P
8. C
9. P
10. P
11. C
12. C
13. P
14. P
15. P
16. P
17. C
18. P
19. P
20. C
21. C
22. C