a change in the solid, liquid or gas state of matter

Compare with chemical change. A change which does not transform one substance into another. For example, freezing water is a physical change because both water and ice are H2O. However, electrolysis of water would not be a physical change because passing a strong electric current through water can decompose it into H2 and O2.

Process that alters one or more physical properties of an element or a compound without altering its chemical composition. Examples are changing the size and shape of a sample of matter (crushing ice and cutting aluminum foil) and changing a sample of matter from one physical state to another (boiling and freezing water). Compare chemical change, nuclear change.

an alteration of a substance that does not affect its composition. (see chemical change)

A change in physical state or form.

a change in the form of matter but not in its chemical identity.

a change from one state (solid or liquid or gas) to another without a change in chemical composition

a change in the way matter looks such as size and shape, or a change in its state

a change in matter in which no new type of matter is produced; for example, freezing, melting, and boiling

A change in a substance that does not alter its chemical makeup.

A change in matter where no new substances are produced.

a change that affects the size, shape or color of a substance but does not affect its composition

A physical change is one in which there is no new substance formed.

A change in which a substance changes from one physical state to another but no substances with different composition are formed. Example Gas to Liquid - Solid.

A change to a material where the molecules remain the same. Ice melting is a physical change. Ice and liquid water are both H2O (p.56).

In chemistry, a physical change is a change in the physical nature or appearance of a substance (eg. the boiling of water) with no change in its chemical composition (a change in the chemical composition would constitute a chemical change). Physical changes do not create new substances, as in a chemical change, but result in the same substance in a different form or shape. A physical change can also be one in which a substance changes states between solid, liquid, and gas.