Chemical change
Chemical change
A chemical change is a process in which reactants are changed into one or more different products. A chemical change occurs whenever new compounds are formed or existing compounds decomposed. During this reaction, chemical bonds between atoms are broken and new chemical bonds formed. This results in a rearrangement of the chemical bonds.
There are several different types of chemical change. These include synthesis, decomposition, single displacement, double displacement, neutralization, precipitation and redox.
Indicators of a chemical change include a colour change, the formation of a precipitate, the formation of gas, production of heat or light, the appearance of a new substance, a use-up of a starting substance or a change in temperature or energy. When new substances are formed, a chemical change has occurred, and a chemical reaction has taken place.