AP Chemistry Flashcards: Physical and Chemical Changes
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
How can one argue that dissolving salt is a physical change?
One can argue it is a physical change because it involves the formation of new intermolecular interactions (ion-dipole forces) and the salt can often be recovered by evaporating the water.
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How can one argue that dissolving salt is a physical change?
One can argue it is a physical change because it involves the formation of new intermolecular interactions (ion-dipole forces) and the salt can often be recovered by evaporating the water.
What is the relationship between bond interactions and macroscopic characteristics in a chemical process?
In a chemical process, the breaking and forming of chemical bonds results in new substances with different macroscopic characteristics.
How can one argue that dissolving salt is a chemical change?
One can argue it is a chemical change because it requires the breaking of chemical bonds (ionic bonds) within the salt crystal.
What is a chemical process at the molecular level?
A chemical process is one that involves the breaking and/or forming of chemical bonds.
Why is dissolving a salt in water sometimes considered an ambiguous process?
It is ambiguous because it involves both breaking chemical (ionic) bonds and forming new intermolecular (ion-dipole) interactions, fitting aspects of both process types.
What is a physical process at the molecular level?
A physical process is one that involves changes in intermolecular interactions, such as those occurring during phase changes.
What is the relationship between bond interactions and macroscopic characteristics in a physical process?
In a physical process, changes in intermolecular interactions alter macroscopic properties (like state of matter), but the chemical identity of the substance remains the same.
What is the key difference between the interactions involved in chemical vs. physical processes?
Chemical processes involve changes to intramolecular chemical bonds, while physical processes involve changes to intermolecular interactions between particles.
When dissolving an ionic salt in water, what new interactions are formed?
New ion-dipole interactions are formed between the ions from the salt and the polar water molecules.
When dissolving an ionic salt, what chemical bonds are broken?
The ionic bonds holding the cations and anions together in the crystal lattice structure are broken.