Physical Changes

PHYSICAL CHANGES

When we do something to something, something happens. The thing that we do something to undergoes a change. This is true for big things and small things alike, whether the thing being done to the other thing involves, for example, a big thing, such as burning down the garage, or a small thing, such as dissolving a Fizzie in Dad’s morning coffee.

In science, we talk about two kinds of these changes. One kind of change is physical change. This happens when a thing or a substance or something changes only in its physical form, like when you drop an egg on your sister. Only the basic physical forms of the egg and your sister will have changed: the egg will have changed into something gloppy and your sister will have to change into something clean.

Now you can try an interesting experiment to demonstrate various examples of physical change. Take an ordinary kitchen appliance, such as the toaster, and beat it with a hammer. The dents you make in the appliance are examples of physical change. Even though the toaster is broken, it’s still basically a toaster. Or, take a bottle of syrup from the cupboard and, while standing up on the kitchen table, drop it. The bottle may break, and the syrup may run all over the floor and get on your shoes and give your dog a real treat. Not only that, but now you can’t really call it a “bottle of syrup’ any more. But still, only a physical change has taken place. Try lining up some drinking glasses along the edge of the sink and with a BB gun or a slingshot or a handful of rocks, break the glasses one by one, or even all at the same time, if you can. Notice how even though the glasses are broken, they are still basically glass. Only the physical form has been changed just slightly. Be sure to explain to Mother just how slight this physical change is so she won’t be mad. Why not give your sister credit for this interesting and educational experiment?

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