Each description below summarizes what is observed
CHEMISTRY · Single correct · AP · Chemistry · Chemical Reactions · Chemical Reactions
Problem
Each description below summarizes what is observed, at the particulate level, in a sealed container before and after a change occurs. Which description most likely represents a physical change?
(a) Before: red spheres are bonded to yellow spheres in diatomic units. After heating: separate red spheres and separate yellow spheres move randomly.
(b) Before: a rigid lattice of alternating green and purple spheres is present. After heating: individual green spheres and purple spheres move randomly throughout the container.
(c) Before: blue monatomic spheres are arranged in a fixed, orderly lattice. After heating: the same blue spheres are farther apart and moving randomly but remain unbonded.
(d) Before: white and black spheres are intermingled but not bonded. After mixing: each black sphere is bonded to a white sphere, forming diatomic molecules.