Is carbon dioxide subliming primarily an example of a physical or chemical change? Select one: a. None of the above because we can’t see it anymore, it disappears b. Sublimation is an example of a chemical change involving the chemical reformation of atoms c. This is an example of the law of conservation of matter and mass so it is a chemical change d. Carbon dioxide is still carbon dioxide after sublimation so it is a physical change
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is d. Carbon dioxide is still carbon dioxide after sublimation, so it is a physical change.
Sublimation is the process in which a substance transitions directly from a solid to a gas without passing through the liquid phase. For carbon dioxide, this occurs at low temperatures and pressures, often seen when dry ice (solid CO2) sublimes into gas at room temperature. Importantly, during sublimation, the chemical composition of the substance does not change. Carbon dioxide (CO2) remains carbon dioxide throughout the process.
This indicates that sublimation is a physical change, not a chemical change. Physical changes involve alterations in the state or appearance of a substance but do not affect its chemical composition. The atoms or molecules involved remain the same, just arranged differently (in this case, from solid to gas).
A chemical change, on the other hand, involves the formation of new substances with different chemical compositions. An example of this would be the combustion of carbon dioxide, which could form carbon monoxide and oxygen, or the reaction of CO2 with water to form carbonic acid.
The law of conservation of mass and matter states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. However, this law applies to both physical and chemical changes, meaning that it doesn’t help distinguish between the two types of changes in this case. Sublimation does not involve a reformation of atoms or molecules; it simply changes their arrangement in space.
Therefore, sublimation of carbon dioxide is primarily a physical change because the substance remains CO2 throughout the process.
