Popping of popcorn is a physical change whereas boiling of eggs is a chemical change
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: True
Popping of popcorn is a physical change, while boiling of eggs is a chemical change.
A physical change involves a change in physical properties such as shape, size, or state, without altering the chemical structure of the substance. When popcorn pops, the hard kernel heats up and water trapped inside turns into steam. The pressure builds until the kernel bursts open, turning inside out and forming the fluffy texture of popcorn. Despite this dramatic transformation, the chemical composition of the starch and other components in the kernel does not change. The process is reversible in concept because no new substance is created, only a change in form.
On the other hand, a chemical change results in the formation of new substances with different chemical properties. Boiling an egg causes the proteins inside to undergo a process called denaturation. This means the proteins unfold and form new bonds, changing their structure permanently. Once an egg is boiled, it cannot return to its raw form. The egg white changes from clear and runny to solid and white, and the yolk firms up as well. These changes are due to chemical reactions involving heat and cannot be undone by simple physical means. Therefore, boiling an egg is a chemical change because the original molecules are altered and new substances are produced.
In summary, popcorn popping is a physical change because it alters the form of the kernel without changing its chemical makeup. Boiling an egg is a chemical change because it changes the molecular structure of the egg’s proteins and results in a new, irreversible substance. This distinction is essential in understanding how different processes affect matter at the physical and molecular levels.