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Is Water Turning Into Ice in the Freezer a Physical Property?

Published in Physical Change 3 mins read

No, water turning into ice in the freezer is not a physical property. It is best described as a physical change.

Understanding Physical Changes vs. Physical Properties

While related concepts in chemistry and physics, a physical property and a physical change are distinct.

According to the provided reference:
"When water is frozen, the ice thus form has the same chemical properties as that of water only there is a change in the state of water from liquid to solid. That is why freezing of water is a physical change." (03-Jul-2022)

This clearly states that the process of freezing water is a physical change.

Why Freezing is a Physical Change

A physical change alters the form or appearance of a substance but does not change its chemical composition. When water freezes into ice:

  • It changes from a liquid state to a solid state.
  • The chemical formula remains H₂O. The water molecules themselves are not broken apart or rearranged to form a new substance.
  • The chemical properties (like flammability or reactivity) stay the same.

This aligns perfectly with the definition of a physical change, as highlighted by the reference.

Defining Physical Properties

A physical property, on the other hand, is a characteristic of a substance that can be observed or measured without changing the substance's chemical identity. Examples include:

  • Melting point
  • Boiling point
  • Density
  • Color
  • Hardness
  • State of matter (at a given temperature and pressure)

For water, its freezing point (0°C or 32°F) is a physical property. The ability to freeze is also related to its physical properties. However, the process of freezing itself is the physical change.

Defining Physical Changes

A physical change involves altering the form or appearance of a substance without changing its chemical identity. Examples include:

  • Freezing (liquid to solid)
  • Melting (solid to liquid)
  • Boiling or evaporation (liquid to gas)
  • Condensation (gas to liquid)
  • Sublimation (solid to gas)
  • Cutting or breaking
  • Bending or shaping
  • Dissolving (in many cases)

Comparing Physical Property and Physical Change

Here's a simple comparison:

Feature Physical Property Physical Change
What it is A characteristic of a substance A process that alters form/appearance
Chemical ID Remains unchanged Remains unchanged
Examples Melting point, color, density Freezing, melting, cutting, dissolving
Regarding Water Freezing point (0°C), liquid state Turning into ice (freezing), boiling water

In summary, while water has the physical property of a freezing point, the act of turning into ice is the physical change it undergoes at that point.